Rawalpindi to enforce e-challans

System will send fines to violators' mobile phones and home addresses

RAWALPINDI:

As the project to install Safe City cameras enters the final phase, the City Traffic Police (CTP) has decided to issue e-challans for violating traffic rules from January 1, 2025.

With Safe City cameras, heavy fines will be imposed on those who violate traffic rules on major highways. After the e-challan is issued, the challan will be received on the violator's mobile phone and home address.

Sources in the Safe City Control Room told the Express Tribune that the plan to install Safe City cameras in Rawalpindi like other cities of Punjab has entered the final stage. Effective use of Safe City cameras will keep a close watch on traffic violations along with the identification of criminals.

Under the Safe City project, Safe City cameras have been installed on all major highways, and business centres and connected to the control room in inner cities. From which 27/7 monitoring and recording process has also started.

Sources said that cameras have become fully functional in inner city at COD Chowk, Fuji Foundation Chowk, Liaquat Bagh, Raja Bazar, Chandni Chowk, Main Commercial Market, Ali Chauhan Chowk, Ayub Park, Jinnah Park, Chaklala Railway Station, Gulzar-e-Quaid, Faizabad Metro Station, Pir Vidhai Mandi Mor Stop, Saddar Bank Road, Qasim Market, 22 No. Bakra Mandi Chowk, Kachhari Chowk, Rawal Road, Committee Chowk, Tench Bhata, Chakri Road and at important locations of Murree Road.

Sources further said that the control room of the Punjab Safe City Authority (PSCA) Rawalpindi has been established in front of Jinnah Park. Giving the details of the e-challan with the help of Safe City cameras, the sources added that the e-challan will be issued if the front and rear indicators of the motorcycle are not installed, motorcyclists do not wear helmets, non-pattern number plates are used, both the front and rear number plates of the bike are not clear and registered with the excise department.

A challan will be issued against riding the motorcycle on the fast track and action will be taken for driving a motorcycle without a license and national identity card.

Sources said that an e-challan worth Rs1,500 will be issued without a helmet and Rs2,000 for the non-specimen number plate. FIRs will also be registered against bike driven by children. Vehicles will be e-challaned against over-speeding and rough driving.

E-challan will also be issued for driving without a seat belt. An e-challan of the vehicle will be generated for no parking. Entering the vehicle from the wrong direction will be challaned and an FIR may also be registered against the violators.

Both the front and rear number plates of the vehicle must have computerised number plates issued by Excise department. Both challan and FIR will be lodged against tinted glasses and non-specimen number plates of vehicles.

Sources further said that the e-challan process would start from the beginning of next year. After the installation of cameras under Safe City is 100% complete, e-challans can also be issued for other violations of traffic rules on major highways.

According to traffic officials, all preparations for e-challaning are complete and all traffic wardens have already been informed in this regard. E-Challan will also significantly reduce citizens' complaints of unnecessary challaning, and citizens will be sent challans with evidence that will be difficult to refute in any forum, they add.