Over 2.19 lakh vehicles in Chandigarh are plying without valid insurance, official data shared in Parliament shows, raising concerns over road safety and enforcement lapses. (PTI File)
More than 2.19 lakh vehicles registered in Chandigarh are currently plying without valid insurance, a figure that has raised fresh questions over road safety, victim compensation and the effectiveness of regulatory enforcement in the city.
The data was shared by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) in Lok Sabha on February 5, 2026, in reply to an unstarred question.
As per records drawn from the Vahan portal, 2,19,289 vehicles in Chandigarh were categorised as uninsured despite being registered as active as of February 4, 2026.
Officials said the absence of mandatory third-party insurance leaves accident victims vulnerable, as compensation claims often become complicated or delayed when uninsured vehicles are involved. In such cases, the financial liability shifts directly to vehicle owners, frequently resulting in prolonged legal disputes and economic hardship for both parties.
The issue carries particular weight in Chandigarh due to the city’s exceptionally high vehicle density.
With around 14.27 lakh registered vehicles, Chandigarh has more vehicles than residents. This pressure is further intensified by daily commuter traffic from Mohali and Panchkula, adding to congestion and stretching enforcement capacity on city roads.
An official in the Chandigarh Administration said the figures point to gaps in compliance that need to be addressed through coordinated action. The transport department and traffic police are expected to rely more heavily on digital databases and targeted checking drives to identify uninsured vehicles, alongside awareness campaigns highlighting the legal and financial risks of driving without insurance.
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At the national level, MoRTH informed Parliament that India has over 14.31 crore uninsured vehicles. The ministry noted that the highest share of such vehicles falls in the two-wheeler category, a trend that is also believed to be prevalent in urban centres like Chandigarh.
Against this backdrop, the Centre has confirmed that amendments to the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, are under active consideration. While details of the proposed changes have not yet been made public, officials indicated that the objective is to strengthen road safety, improve compliance and enhance deterrence against violations.
The ministry has outlined a comprehensive road safety framework built around four pillars — education, engineering, enforcement and emergency care. Under education initiatives, MoRTH is expanding infrastructure for driver training through Institutes of Driving Training and Research, Regional Driving Training Centres and Driving Training Centres, while also supporting awareness efforts through the Road Safety Advocacy Scheme and National Road Safety Month.
Engineering interventions include mandatory road safety audits by independent experts on all National Highways at multiple stages, from design to operation.
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Authorities have prioritised the identification and rectification of accident-prone black spots, and pedestrian safety measures such as footpaths, crossings and underpasses that are being implemented as per Indian Road Congress guidelines.
On the enforcement side, the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019, has introduced higher penalties and enabled greater use of technology. The Centre has notified rules for electronic monitoring, allowing automated enforcement devices to be installed on high-risk corridors and major junctions. Financial incentives have also been offered to states and union territories to expand electronic enforcement infrastructure.
Emergency response measures form the fourth component of the strategy. These include the enhanced Rah-Veer scheme to encourage timely assistance to accident victims, increased compensation for hit-and-run cases, deployment of ambulances with trained medical staff on National Highways, and the implementation of the Cashless Treatment of Road Accident Victims Scheme, 2025.
Jagpreet Singh Sandhu is a Senior Correspondent at The Indian Express, based in Chandigarh. He is a veteran reporter with over a decade of experience, specializing in legal, crime, and environmental reporting across the tri-city area (Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula).
Professional Background
Core Beat: He primarily covers the Punjab and Haryana High Court, District Courts, CBI Courts, and Consumer Commissions. His legal reporting is known for breaking down complex judgments and tracking long-standing criminal cases.
Environmental Reporting: Jagpreet has become a key voice in reporting on the deteriorating air quality and weather patterns in the Punjab-Haryana region.
Crime & Technology: He frequently reports on cybercrime, digital arrest scams, and the intersection of technology and law enforcement, such as the development of citizen-centric policing apps.
Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025)
His late 2025 coverage has focused on significant judicial verdicts, major financial scams, and public health concerns:
1. Legal & CBI Court Verdicts
"12 years on, CBI court acquits Haryana judge, parents in wife’s death case" (Dec 17, 2025): Detailed coverage of the acquittal of a judicial officer in a high-profile dowry death case from 2013.
"‘Wicked & evil mind’: Court gives man 30-year term for kidnapping, sexually assaulting 8-year-old" (Dec 16, 2025): A report on a stern judgment from a Chandigarh district court in a POCSO case.
"Man acquitted in rape case after victim found ‘very happy’ in wedding reception" (Dec 9, 2025): Covering a unique legal observation regarding consensual relationships and age verification.
2. Investigative & Scams
"CBI registers FIR in Rs 1.14-cr Patient Welfare Grant scam at PGIMER" (Dec 19, 2025): An exposé on how funds meant for poor patients were siphoned off through forged documents and a photocopy shop inside the PGIMER campus.
"Month-long torture, Rs 85 lakh transfers: How ‘Innocence Certificate’ led to a ‘digital arrest’ of an elderly couple" (Dec 12, 2025): Detailing a sophisticated cyber fraud targeting senior citizens in Chandigarh.
3. Environment & Public Safety
"Panchkula air turns ‘very poor’, fourth worst in country" (Dec 22, 2025): Reporting on the sudden spike in pollution levels in Panchkula compared to neighbouring cities.
"Soon, you can snap that overspeeding car, and report to Chandigarh Police" (Dec 16, 2025): Breaking news on a new mobile application being developed to allow citizens to report traffic violations via geo-tagged photos.
4. Gangster Culture & Crime
"City Beautiful in the crosshairs of gangsters" (Dec 14, 2025): A feature analysis of how Chandigarh has increasingly become a staging ground for extortion and rivalries between gangster modules.
"Shooters wanted for Parry murder held by Delhi Police Special Cell" (Dec 18, 2025): Following the developments in a high-profile murder case in Chandigarh’s Sector 26.
Signature Style
Jagpreet is recognized for his tenacious follow-up on cold cases and his ability to report on courtroom drama with a focus on victim rights. His work often highlights administrative lapses, whether in the handling of patient welfare funds or the enforcement of environmental standards. ... Read More
