Mumbai: 4,200 drivers to lose licence for not paying e-challans

Traffic police check vehicles and their documents during a drive in MIDC Andheri. File Pic

Around 4,200 drivers from the city who have not paid their e-challans despite repeated reminders are likely to lose their licence in the next few weeks. The Mumbai traffic police had a high-level meeting with RTO officials on Tuesday regarding the matter. According to the traffic police, there are many motorists who drive dangerously and flout rules with impunity. They are issued fines via e-challans, which they refuse to pay.

Traffic police at a nakabandi in Marine Lines. File pics

As part of a drive to collect pending fines, the traffic police have been contacting thousands of drivers who have not paid their e-challan fines via phone. The 4,200 people who have persistently refused to pay up will now have their names sent to the RTO (Regional Transport Office)

The list of drivers includes people who have jumped signals, spoken on mobile phones while driving and indulged in drink and drive. The total penalties levied on all these drivers amount to around Rs 5 crore.

RTO may give the offenders another chance if they respond to its notices in time

A traffic police officer said that in 2015, the state government had issued a Government Resolution (GR), which allowed for the licence of a driver who drives dangerously and violates traffic rules several times, to be cancelled. The power to take this action lies with the RTO, while the traffic police can recommend repeat offenders' names for action.

Dues collected
In the 24 days that it has been operating, the traffic police's call centre has managed to recover fines worth R1.12 crore from other offenders with dues. The call centre, set up at the traffic police's Worli headquarters, has 24 policemen, who work in two shifts of 12 staffers each. Those with the highest pending dues are called on priority.

During Tuesday's meeting, officials from all five RTO offices in Mumbai were present at the traffic police's headquarter. After the traffic police hands over the list of 4,200 repeat offenders, the RTO would issue them notices. The drivers will be given a week to respond, after which further action would be taken. If a driver assures that they'd maintain discipline, they may be given another chance at RTO's discretion. Joint Commissioner of Police (traffic) Yashswi Yadav told mid-day, "We will hand over the list of repeat offenders who refuse to pay fines to the RTO very soon. The RTO will take action against these people under the Motor Vehicles Act."

Rs 1.12 cr
Amount recovered by traffic cops so far from offenders

24
Days traffic police call centre has been operating