E-challan implemented during drive at Keishampat
Traffic descends to chaos as soon as traffic police leave
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, March 30 2023: After introducing e-challan for traffic rule violators in front of Kangla west -em gate on March 28, traffic control police on Thursday carried out a drive against violators at Keishampat junction and made them pay fine through e-challan.

During the drive, which was conducted Under the foot-over-bridge at Keishampat, over 30 people were made to pay fine for violating traffic rules including driving on the wrong lane.

The traffic police team led by an additional SP conducted the drive from early afternoon.

Interestingly, traffic movement was smooth during the drive but it tuned chaotic as soon as the traffic police left around 5.30 pm.

Keishampat junction is one of the busiest and most congested traffic junctions in Imphal city.

Despite the heavy traffic, there is no dearth of vehicle operators, who drive on the wrong lane just to find a shortcut to their destination without even considering the inconveniences they cause to others.

Road accidents are frequent at the junction due to the heavy traffic and unruly commuters.

During the drive, the traffic police also removed vehicles parked on the roadside haphazardly.

The drive received appreciation from the public, who, however, expressed that conducting drive once in a while will not solve the problem.

Some people told The People's Chronicle that conducting the drive on daily basis will not only prevent violation of traffic rules and instil sense of responsibility among the commuter but will also help in enhancing revenue generation of the government.

Meanwhile, SP Traffic Control Wing, Wungpam Kasar said that traffic police personnel have been provided training on e-challan.

Actions will be taken up against violators of traffic regulations including driving on wrong lane, riding without helmet & documents, overtaking from wrong side among others, he said.

On the other hand, the Central government has brought in some drastic changes in the traffic violation fines as per the latest amendment to The Motor Vehicles Act, 2019.The relatively new traffic rules are more stringent, with a significant increase in penalties for traffic violations.

As per the provisions of the amended law, general offences like improper number plate and illegal parking attracts penalty of Rs 500 for first offence and Rs 1500 on subsequent offences.

Not obeying the orders of the authorities/not sharing information attracts Rs 2000 fine while not adhering to road rules attracts Rs 500 to Rs 1000.Penalty for different types of offences are Rs 5000 for driving/riding without valid driving licence & driving an unauthorised vehicle without valid licence; Rs 10,000 for driving/riding a vehicle after disqualification; Rs 1000 to Rs 2000 (LMV), Rs 2000 to Rs 4000 (MPV), impounding of driving licence (second-time/repeat offence) for over speeding; imprisonment for 6 months to 1 year and/or Rs 1,000 to Rs 5,000 penalty (first time) & imprisonment for up to 2 years and/or up to Rs 10,000 penalty (second time) for rash/danger-ous driving; Rs 10,000 and/ or imprisonment for up to 6 months (first time) & Rs 15,000 and/or imprisonment for up to 2 years (second time) for driving/riding under the influence of intoxicating substances/alcohol; Rs 1,000 (first time) & Rs 2,000 (second time) for driving/riding in a mentally/physically unfit state; Rs 2,000 and/or imprisonment for up to 3 months (first time) & Rs 4,000 and/or imprisonment for up to 3 months (second time) for driving/riding a vehicle without valid motor insurance; Rs 5,000 and/ or imprisonment for up to 3 months (first time) & Rs 10,000 and/or imprisonment for up to 1 year (second time) for illegal racing and over speeding; Rs 5,000 for driving an oversized vehicle.

The amended Act also carries a penalty of Rs 5,000 and/ or imprisonment for up to 6 months (first time) & Rs 10,000 and/or imprisonment for up to 1 year (second time) for accident related offences; Rs 5,000 (first) Rs 10,000 (second) for driving/riding a vehicle without a valid registration certificate; Rs 10,000 and/or imprisonment for up to 6 months for driving without permit; Rs 5000 for driving/riding a vehicle while using a mobile phone; Rs 20,000 (Rs 2,000 per extra tonne) for overloading goods; Rs 1000 per extra passenger for overloading passengers; disqualification of DL for 3 months and a penalty of Rs 2,000 for overloading two-wheeler; disqualification of DL for 3 months and a penalty of Rs 1,000 for not wearing helmet; Rs 1000 for not wearing seatbelt; Rs 10,000 and/or imprisonment for 6 months for not giving way for emergency vehicles; imprisonment for 3 years and a penalty of Rs 25,000 (vehicle owner/guardian to be deemed guilty) for offences by juveniles; twice the penalty under the relevant section for offences related to enforcing officers (like offering bribe); Rs 25,000 to Rs 1 lakh for aggregator offences (Licence-related); Rs 2,000 (first) & Rs 4,000 (second) for using horn in silent zone; and Rs 500 for travelling without a ticket in public transport vehicles.

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