Jammu 25, Oct 24: Jammu and Kashmir’s e-challan system, introduced two years ago, has run into compliance issues, with more than 9,000 outstanding e-challans in the region. The system allows the Traffic Police to issue e-challans to traffic rule violators, who are then required to settle fines in court. However, a significant number of individuals have failed to appear in court for payment.
In Srinagar, approximately 7,500 e-challans remain unpaid, prompting authorities to issue notices to offenders. In rural Srinagar, 1,600 individuals have been identified with unpaid e-challans. In Jammu City, more than 50 drivers have received online e-challans in the past three months, but they too have not shown up in court to settle their fines, resulting in notices being issued.
The issue appears to stem from a lack of follow-through after e-challans are issued. Vehicles are initially let go, and drivers do not subsequently appear in court to pay the fines. The Traffic Police and senior department officers are grappling with the challenge, and there’s no clear solution in sight.
Muzaffar Ahmad, SSP Traffic Srinagar, stated, “Our job is to issue e-challans. Now, why are people not going to court to pay these fines, only they can explain.” Authorities are keen to address this compliance issue and ensure the effective implementation of the e-challan system.