System launched for e-payment of traffic fine

CPTL moves to encourage physical distancing among citizens

LAHORE: In view of the concerns about the coronavirus pandemic, and keeping in view the convenience of citizens, the City Traffic Police Lahore (CTPL) has initiated a traffic challan e-payment system.

The inaugural function of the test run of the e-payment system was held at the CCPO Office on Tuesday.

Lahore Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Zulfiqar Hameed, Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Syed Hammad Abid and the Punjab Information Technology Board DG were present on the occasion.

The CTO gave a briefing on the challan e-payment system and shared that since it was a test run, the system had been started in only three sectors.

The CCPO said that keeping in view the need for physical distancing, the method of electronic challan payment was introduced.  “Citizens will no longer have to line up at banks.”

In case of traffic challan, citizens will be able to withdraw their documents on the spot by paying from mobile phone, online and ATM, he explained.

The CCPO added that most of the bank branches were closed due to coronavirus and the citizens were facing difficulties.

The Lahore police chief said that initially electronic payment was being introduced in three traffic sectors but “in the next few weeks, its scope will be extended to the whole of Lahore”.

The CTO said that citizens can make electronic payments through ATM and online banking.

The constraints of cash payment were being removed by taking advantage of modern technology, he highlighted. “Citizens can pay traffic challan fines from any bank anywhere in the city.”

He added that electronic payment would eliminate the tout mafia and facilitate data collection.  “Electronic payments will eliminate financial irregularities and ensure transparency.”

Published in The Express Tribune, May 6^th, 2020.