The Rajasthan government has officially ended cash payments for traffic challans, making online payments compulsory through a gazette notification issued by the transport and road safety department on April 27. Under the revised system, fines for traffic violations will no longer be accepted in cash. Vehicle owners and drivers must now clear challans through a designated online portal, marking a major shift in how penalties are collected across the state.
New Payment Mechanism
An official confirmed that vehicle owners and drivers must now pay e-challans through the ITMS portal. The change aims to simplify the entire process of fine collection, making it more transparent and fully records-based. The move is expected to reduce manual handling of money and ensure a proper digital record of every transaction. Officials believe the online-only mechanism will streamline enforcement and make monitoring easier for authorities.
Empowerment of Officials
The government has also revised the powers of officials involved in issuing challans and handling traffic disputes. Police personnel above the rank of head constable, along with authorised officers of the transport department, will now be empowered to issue traffic violation challans. In case of objections or complaints regarding a traffic challan, designated officers will hear the matter, making it easier for people to navigate the process and find solutions.
Legal Basis
The April 27 order has been enforced under Rule 167 of the Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989. This regulation provides the legal framework for the digitization of traffic penalty collection in Rajasthan.
The transition to online payments is a significant step towards modernizing traffic enforcement and reducing corruption. It aligns with the broader digital India initiative and aims to create a more efficient and accountable system for both authorities and citizens.
