Patna: Vehicle owners in Patna who have left traffic violation fines unpaid since 2020 could face stricter enforcement, with authorities preparing to issue notices and potentially suspend vehicle registrations and driving licences if outstanding challans are not cleared.
Divisional Commissioner Rajesh Kumar issued the directions on Tuesday during a review meeting on the city’s traffic management system. Officials were instructed to take effective measures to curb the practice of ignoring traffic challans.
Around 16 lakh challans remain unpaid
According to District Transport Officer Upendra Pal, approximately 16 lakh challans issued in the district since 2020 remain unpaid.
Notices will be sent to the concerned vehicle owners asking them to deposit the outstanding fines. If the dues remain unpaid even after the notice, authorities may suspend the vehicle’s registration and the owner’s driving licence.
Pal said vehicles with outstanding challans are currently not eligible for pollution certificates and cannot be sold. Further enforcement action may also follow in accordance with the applicable rules.
Special plans for congestion hotspots
The meeting also focused on worsening traffic congestion across the capital.
The Divisional Commissioner directed officials to prepare special action plans for major congestion points, including Zero Mile Bypass, GPO Roundabout, Patna Junction, Saguna Mor, Patna City and Kankarbagh.
Officials were instructed to remove road encroachments and ensure that buses and auto-rickshaws stop only at designated locations. Strict action against vehicles parked in no-parking zones was also ordered, including impounding vehicles where necessary.
Authorities have also been asked to identify emerging congestion hotspots caused by increasing vehicle numbers and encroachments and prepare location-specific plans for them.
Commercial vehicles to face peak-hour restrictions
Officials were directed to develop a strategy for regulating the movement of commercial vehicles during peak hours on major routes and at congestion-prone locations.
Route diversions are to be implemented immediately wherever they can improve traffic flow.
An NHAI official was also instructed to initiate repairs to the damaged section of the Zero Mile Bypass within seven days.
Vending zones, colour-coded permits for autos
The administration plans to identify and develop designated vending zones to organise roadside vendors. Vendors operating along roadsides will be shifted to designated zones where such facilities are available.
A new system is also being developed to regulate auto-rickshaw operations through colour-coded and zone-based permits.
The Commissioner directed officials to develop a mobile application through which auto-rickshaw drivers can apply online for permits according to their preferred zones and routes.
Crackdown on unregistered and underage drivers
Authorities have been instructed to completely prohibit the operation of unregistered auto-rickshaws and prevent underage individuals from driving auto-rickshaws and e-rickshaws.
Traffic police have been directed to conduct regular checks and take enforcement action against violations.
Additional traffic personnel will also be deployed at major intersections and congestion-prone areas. Officials were instructed to ensure effective implementation of the ‘Roko-Toko’ checking campaign.
The Commissioner further directed traffic police personnel not to use mobile phones while on duty and to remain fully attentive while managing traffic.
He said improving Patna’s traffic system would require more than enforcement alone, stressing the importance of continuous monitoring, effective implementation of regulations, better route management and coordination among departments.
