Fearing Lok Adalat, motorists in Maharashtra clear e-challan dues of Rs 5.5 crore within a week

In future too, the highway traffic police intend to take this route for collecting pending dues totalling up to Rs 1,125 crore – Rs 413 crore from Mumbai alone – from 2.94 crore motorists.

Notably, in 2021, 862 deaths were recorded in Nashik rural, 798 in Pune rural and 706 in Ahmednagar. (File)

The Maharashtra Highway Safety Patrol (HSP), better known as the highway traffic police, has collected e-challan dues worth Rs 5.52 crore from 1.20 lakh motorists in a week’s time with the help of the Lok Adalat. The motorists paid up fearing that they would have to be present before the court.

In future too, the highway traffic police intend to take this route for collecting pending dues totalling up to Rs 1,125 crore – Rs 413 crore from Mumbai alone – from 2.94 crore motorists.

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The amount was collected from September 13 to September 20. Motorists who do not pay the fines by Friday (September 24) would be required to present themselves before the Lok Adalat on Saturday in their respective districts. The notices have been sent via SMS to vehicle owners’ registered mobile numbers through a link. If the challan amount is not paid before the Lok Adalat proceedings, the Maharashtra police plan to move court.

The Indian Express had reported last month that the HSP plans to approach the Lok Adalat to recover the pending fines. Bhushan Kumar Upadhyay, Additional Director General (Traffic), Maharashtra, said, “We approached the Maharashtra State Legal Services Authority and the Bombay High Court to place these unpaid traffic challan cases before the Lok Adalat.” Pre-Litigation notices were issued to over 10 lakh vehicle owners across the state for non-payment of e-challan dues.

Due to paucity of time, the notices were served to repeat offenders who have pending dues of over Rs 1,000. However, the police intend to send notices to all 2.94 crore motorists before the next Lok Adalat in December.

“Even those who have not received court notices are requested to check the status of pending challans, if any, on the traffic authority’s MahaTrafficapp and clear them to avoid legal action,” an official said.

Challan cases

Total: 4.45 crore (4,45,07,884)

Paid: 1.51 crore (1,51,07,255)

Unpaid: 2.94 crore (2,94,00,629)

Recovery % : 33.94

Executed fines

Total: Rs 1586.87 crore (15,86,87,45,240)

Paid: Rs 461.96 crore (4,61,96,39,071)

Unpaid: Rs 1124.91 crore (11,24,91,06,169)

Recovery % : 29.11

Jayprakash S Naidu

Jayprakash S Naidu is a Principal Correspondent for The Indian Express, currently serving as the state correspondent for Chhattisgarh. With an extensive career in frontline journalism, he reports on the political, security, and humanitarian landscape of Central India. Expertise and Experience Specialized Conflict Reporting: Jayprakash is a leading voice on the Maoist/Naxalite conflict in the Bastar region. His reporting provides a critical, ground-level view of: Internal Security: Tracking high-stakes encounters, surrender programs for senior Maoist leaders, and the establishment of security camps in formerly inaccessible "heartland" villages. Tribal Rights & Displacement: Investigative reporting on the identity and land struggles of thousands of displaced tribals fleeing conflict zones for neighboring states. Governance & Bureaucratic Analysis: He consistently monitors the evolution of Chhattisgarh as it marks 25 years of statehood, covering: Electoral Politics: Analyzing the shift in power between the BJP and Congress and the impact of regional tribal movements. Public Policy: Reporting on landmark infrastructure projects (e.g., mobile connectivity in remote zones) and judicial interventions, such as High Court rulings on civil and family law. Diverse Investigative Background: Prior to his current focus on Chhattisgarh, Jayprakash held reported from Maharashtra, where he specialized in: Crisis & Disaster Management: Notable for his extensive coverage of the Cyclone Tauktae barge tragedy (P-305) and the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on frontline personnel. Legal & Human Rights: Investigative pieces for platforms like Article-14, focusing on police accountability and custodial deaths across India. Environmental & Social Justice: Authoritative reporting on the Hasdeo Aranya forest protests and the approval of major tiger reserves, highlighting the tension between industrial mining and environmental preservation. ... Read More

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