Breather for vehicle owners | Non-tax e-challans issued between 2017 & 2021 cancelled: UP Transport dept

According to the department, around 30 lakh challans were issued in this time period. The department has also clarified that the move is “only a closure”, and no refunds would be given but old challans would not be reopened.

All obstructions linked to these challans — such as renewal of fitness certificates, issuance of permits, vehicle transfer and High Security Registration Plates (HSRP) — will be automatically removed.

Challans involving tax, however, will not be covered under this relief.

According to the department, the entire process will be completed within 30 days. After this, vehicle owners will be able to check their challan status on the portal.

As per official data, 30,52,090 challans were issued between January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2021. Of these, 17,59,077 have been disposed of, while 12,93,013 are pending. The enforcement agencies sent 14,86,143 challans in court out of which 10,84,732 are pending while 4,01,411 have been disposed off. Remaining 1,29,163 left at the office level. Under the new initiative, these pending challans will be resolved digitally within a stipulated time frame.

All related impediments, including renewal of fitness certificates, permits, vehicle transfers, and issuance of High Security Registration Plates (HSRP), will also be automatically removed.

Officials clarified that challans involving tax will remain outside the scope of this relief. Complete records and audit trails of the cancelled challans will continue to remain securely stored at the back end.

As per the order, only challans pending in court up to December 31, 2021, will be abated. Challans that were never sent to court and have now crossed the limitation period will be administratively closed.

However, challans involving tax liabilities, serious offences, accidents, or cases linked to the IPC will remain outside the purview of this relief.

The government said the move is intended to ensure legal compliance while relieving citizens of unnecessary burdens, delivering timely services, and making the process fully transparent. Within 30 days, all pending challans will appear as resolved on the portal, with weekly progress reports uploaded on the dashboard. The NIC is carrying out necessary portal upgrades to keep the process secure and transparent.

Tax dues, already paid penalties, and existing court orders will remain unchanged.

Transport Commissioner Brajesh Narayan Singh told The Indian Express thatv the initiative was “required and timely”. “The decision has been taken following the law and the rules and regulations. These challans had been pending at the court. Our goal is to provide citizens with a smooth, safe, and respectful service experience.”

In his order issued today, he has directed all the officers and employees to ensure 100 per cent compliance within the stipulated timeline.

The detailed order issued by the Transport Commissioner office mentions all the related specific Motor Vehicle Act, Governor Ordinance and order/directives by the Allahabad High Court.

WHAT SHOULD VEHICLE OWNERS DO ?

• Check status after one month: If your challan (2017–2021) is still showing as pending or blocked, recheck it on the e-challan/transport portal after one month.
• For court cases: Challans pending in court will appear as “disposed – abated” once departments clear all queries.
• For office-level cases: If the challan was never sent to court and the limitation period has expired, it will show as “closed – time-bar (non-tax).”
• Tax challans excluded: Relief does not apply to challans involving tax. These will only be settled under provisions of tax law.
• For assistance: Contact the transport helpline 149 or visit your nearest RTO/ARTO office.