As a disregard for established protocols, traffic constables in Mumbai have been repeatedly observed using their personal mobile phones to capture images of traffic violators, despite the availability of dedicated e-challan machines. This practice, despite being explicitly prohibited by the traffic police department, is casting a shadow over the city’s efforts to streamline traffic enforcement and curb violations.
According to a recent report, the Mumbai traffic police have received 41 complaints regarding the use of personal phones for issuing e-challans in the past year. The report also states that penalties worth ₹2.27 billion remain unpaid due to various reasons, including invalid challans and non-receipt of notices.
The continued use of personal phones for e-challans is a clear defiance of orders issued by the state traffic chief in 2020 and 2022. These orders instructed traffic personnel to avoid using their personal phones and warned of strict action if complaints were received.
The Mumbai Traffic Police Department had issued a clear directive in 2020, mandating the use of e-challan machines for issuing fines to violators. These machines are equipped with high-resolution cameras and sophisticated software that facilitates seamless identification and documentation of traffic offences. Well , this directive seems to have fallen on deaf ears, as many constables continue to rely on their personal phones, raising concerns about the accuracy and reliability of these unofficial records.
The misuse of personal phones for e-challan purposes not only undermines the department’s efforts to improve traffic management but also opens up avenues for potential manipulation and abuse. Unclear or incomplete images captured on personal phones can lead to disputed challans and unnecessary delays in the enforcement process
E-Challan Statistics and Top Challan Reasons
In 2022, the Mumbai traffic police issued over 3.5 million e-challans, with the top three reasons for challans being:
- Jumping red Lights
- Improper Parking
- Over speeding
The use of personal phones for e-challans raises several concerns, including:
- Data privacy: The use of personal phones could potentially expose sensitive data, such as vehicle registration details and personal information, to unauthorised access.
- Transparency: The use of personal phones could make it difficult to track and audit the e-challan process, reducing transparency and accountability.
- Professionalism: The use of personal phones for official duties undermines the professionalism of the traffic police and raises questions about their commitment to following established protocols.
To address this issue, the Mumbai Traffic Police Department needs to reinforce its existing guidelines and ensure that all constables strictly adhere to the use of e-challan machines. Additionally, regular inspections and disciplinary actions should be taken against those found violating the protocols.
Moreover, the department should consider deploying additional e-challan machines in high-traffic areas to alleviate the burden on constables and minimise the temptation to resort to personal phones. This would also ensure that the entire traffic enforcement process is conducted in a transparent and accountable manner, fostering public trust and confidence.
The persistence of this practice highlights the need for stricter enforcement of e-challan guidelines and a renewed commitment to upholding the integrity of traffic management systems. Only by adhering to established protocols and ensuring the proper functioning of e-challan machines can Mumbai achieve the goal of a safer and more disciplined traffic environment.