Telangana tightens challan rules as unpaid fines near ₹1,930 crore
HYDERABAD: Traffic violators across Telangana owe nearly ₹1,930 crore in pending challans. To improve enforcement, the transport department has recognised electronic communication as a legally valid way to serve notices.
Data available as of June 1 shows that police issued 5,34,53,337 traffic challans and imposed fines worth ₹1,926.08 crore. Pending penalties recorded by the transport department add another ₹3.07 crore.
Electronic communication recognised as official notice
Through Government Order (GO) No. 25, issued on June 1, the transport department directed all vehicle owners to update their mobile numbers and email addresses on the Vahan portal within 30 days.
After the deadline, authorities will treat any challan sent through SMS, WhatsApp, or email to the registered contact details as officially served.
“All vehicle owners must update their contact information on the Vahan portal. From next month, a unified tracking system will monitor challans issued by both the police and the transport department. This will streamline the entire process,” a senior transport department official said.
“The moment we send a message to a vehicle owner, the law will consider the notice delivered. The vehicle owner will then be responsible for paying the fine,” the official added.
Unified system for traffic and transport violations
The new rules took effect immediately. They formally recognise electronic communication as an authorised method for notifying vehicle owners about traffic violations.
Officials said the initiative will improve fine recovery and bring greater consistency to enforcement across departments.
Redressal mechanism notified
The government has also identified authorities to handle disputes related to challans.
In Hyderabad commissionerate areas, neighbouring municipalities, and the Future City commissionerate, Deputy Commissioners of Police (Traffic) will hear such complaints.
Across other districts, Additional Superintendents of Police will serve as the redressal authorities. In Mulugu and Narayanpet districts, the Superintendent of Police will handle these cases.
Vehicle owners who want to challenge a challan can approach the designated authority for redressal, the transport department said.
