Gujarat: E-challan system strengthened with fixed timelines for dispute

New Delhi/Gandhinagar, June 16 (IANS) The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has tightened enforcement provisions under the Central Motor Vehicle Rules, introducing stricter timelines for e-challan objections and payment while mandating licence suspension for repeated traffic violations.

Under the revised framework, a driving licence will be liable for immediate suspension if a vehicle driver or owner accumulates five or more challans within a single year.

Authorities have stated that this measure is intended to improve compliance with traffic regulations and strengthen road discipline.

The new rules also introduce a 45-day window for raising objections or complaints against any e-challan issued through the official portal.

If no representation is filed within this period, the challan will be deemed to have been automatically accepted by the vehicle owner or driver.

Following such deemed acceptance, payment of the challan amount must be completed within 30 days.

If the challan is not paid within the stipulated period, the concerned vehicle will be marked as “Not to be transacted” on the VAHAN portal and effectively blocked.

Once blocked, the vehicle will not be eligible for services such as driving licence processing, registration certificate-related work, or other administrative transactions until all dues are cleared, though tax-related services will remain unaffected.

The rules further provide that if a grievance raised by a vehicle owner is rejected by the competent authority, the individual will be required to pay the full challan amount within 30 days.

Alternatively, they may deposit 50 per cent of the challan amount through the e-challan portal as a security deposit to pursue an appeal before the court.

If neither option is exercised, the challan will be treated as accepted, and payment must be made within 15 days, failing which the vehicle will also be placed under the “Not to be transacted” category.

A state-level advisory accompanying the announcement urged motorists in Gujarat to strictly comply with traffic regulations and to ensure the timely settlement of pending e-challans to avoid penalties, vehicle blocking, and suspension of driving licences.

–IANS

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