Now, violators from other States cannot get away

E-challan system, integrated with RTOs across country, introduced

Going hi-tech: Police Commissioner A.K. Viswanathan handing over an advanced e-challan device to an officer on Friday.

The city police on Friday commissioned a new e-challan system, a completely online mechanism which is integrated with Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) across the country.

Police Commissioner A.K. Viswanathan distributed new devices to traffic police officers. “For the first time in the country, the most modernised e-challan machines are being commissioned in the city. Using the devices, the traffic police personnel will be able to book more cases, prevent traffic violations and reduce the accident rate,” he said.

Additional Commissioner of Police, Traffic, A. Arun, said, “In 2011, we introduced e-challan devices for booking traffic rule violations. But they are outdated now due to technological advances and some of them are faulty. We are replacing all e-challan machines.”

The software ecosystem has been developed by National Informatics Centre and the device has real-time access to vehicle owner database and driving licence database of all RTOs in the country. Photograph of the user, genuineness of vehicle owner/licensee can be verified.

Challans can be issued for any vehicle belonging to any State. No transaction like renewal of fitness certificates, name transfers will be permitted by the system at RTOs throughout India if there is a pending violation.

Suspension of licences

“Now officers can recommend the suspension of driving licences at the time of booking the offence itself. This can be sent electronically to the concerned RTO,” said Mr. Arun. Location of officers booking cases can be seen on a digital map real-time by senior officers. Booking of violations and payment through credit/debit cards can be done using the same device.

Mr. Viswanathan also launched the mobile application called ‘GCTP Citizen Services’. The user can take photographs and videos of traffic violations and upload them on it. “The users can now use the mobile app to send their complaints and feedback directly to us. We can then monitor the status of their complaints. Traffic officers will also use the app with a separate login to process the complaints and submit their responses which can be seen by the users through the app. Users can escalate the issue if they are not satisfied with the response,” said R. Sudhakar, Joint Commissioner of Police, Traffic (South).