Patna: Vehicle owners in Bihar will soon be able to pay traffic e-challans with a single click on their mobile phones as the state transport department prepares to integrate its payment system with the Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS).
The move is expected to eliminate the need for people to visit government offices or navigate multiple websites to clear pending challans. Users will be able to make payments through QR codes, UPI, mobile banking, internet banking, debit cards and credit cards.
Transport Minister Damodar Rawat and Transport Secretary Raj Kumar announced the initiative during a press conference at the Information Building in Patna on Wednesday.
BBPS Integration to Simplify Challan Payments
Officials said BBPS, a digital payment platform authorised by the Reserve Bank of India, will soon be linked to Bihar’s e-challan system.
Under the proposed arrangement, traffic challans will appear as a payment category within BBPS-enabled applications, similar to utility bill payments currently available on UPI platforms. Vehicle owners will be able to check outstanding penalties and settle them instantly through digital payment methods.
The department said the system is also expected to reduce the risk of fraud and unauthorised collections in the name of challan payments.
‘Where Is My Bus’ App to Offer Live Tracking
The transport department also announced plans to launch a “Where Is My Bus” application, modelled on train-tracking services that allow passengers to monitor trains in real time.
Once launched, commuters will be able to track the live location of buses across the state, improving travel planning and reducing uncertainty about arrival times.
200 Electric Buses to Begin Operations This Month
As part of the PM e-Bus Service programme, Bihar will introduce 200 electric buses this month in Patna, Muzaffarpur, Gaya, Bhagalpur, Darbhanga and Purnia.
Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary is expected to inaugurate the service.
Officials said the government aims to add another 200 electric buses by March next year, taking the total fleet to 400. Half of the buses will be 12 metres long, while the remaining vehicles will be 9 metres long.
Among the new fleet, 50 “Pink Buses” will be reserved exclusively for women passengers.
31 Bus Terminals to Get Mall-Like Facilities
The state government has also unveiled plans to modernise bus terminals in 31 cities over the next two years.
The proposed facilities will be developed on the lines of major bus terminals in Noida and Mumbai, featuring cafeterias, entertainment areas, clean toilets, drinking water facilities and improved passenger amenities.
The projects will be executed by the Bihar State Road Transport Corporation under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
Cities selected for the upgrade include Patna, Muzaffarpur, Gaya, Bhagalpur, Purnia, Darbhanga, Munger, Jamui, Nawada, Saharsa, Paliganj, Laheriasarai, Madhubani, Kishanganj, Motihari, Chhapra, Sultanganj, Naubatpur, Barbigha, Mokama, Chakai, Sitamarhi, Bihar Sharif, Aurangabad, Arrah, Jehanabad, Sangrampur, Tarapur, Bhadauni, Sikandra and Rajgir.
The announcements signal a broader push by Bihar’s transport department to digitise services, improve public transport infrastructure and enhance commuter convenience across the state.
