Delhi Transport Dept Set to BLACKLIST Vehicles for Unpaid Challans.

New Delhi : In a bid to address the issue of unpaid traffic fines and enhance traffic discipline, the Delhi transport department is set to implement a stringent measure starting next week. Vehicles in Delhi accumulating more than five unpaid challans pending for over 90 days will be “blacklisted,” and their owners will face restrictions on selling them, purchasing insurance, or renewing pollution under-control (PUC) certificates. The move aligns with an advisory from the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways issued in April, urging states to adopt such rules.

Owners of vehicles meeting the criteria will receive a 10-day notice before facing blacklisting, allowing them time to settle outstanding fines. The blacklisting will be executed on the Vahan portal, with a request made to the National Informatics Centre (NIC) to automate the process. Once all fines are paid, the vehicle will be removed from the blacklist.

Transport Commissioner Ashish Kundra emphasized that the objective is to instill traffic discipline and enhance safety in public spaces. The decision aligns with the government’s broader effort to streamline traffic management and encourage timely resolution of pending violations.

The mechanism to blacklist vehicles is based on Rule 167 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR), 1989. Only vehicles registered in Delhi are subject to blacklisting, and the process will not apply to those registered outside the capital. Vehicles with over five pending challans for more than 90 days will be flagged, and their owners notified to settle the fines within 10 days. Failure to comply will result in the vehicle being blacklisted on the Vahan portal.

The blacklisting mechanism will impact routine vehicle transactions, such as renewing Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates, as the testing centers will be unable to proceed with the test for blacklisted vehicles. The move is expected to streamline the resolution of pending fines and contribute to improved traffic discipline in the city.

Delhi currently has more than 20 million pending challans against 5.8 million vehicles, encompassing both private and commercial vehicles. The majority of roads in the city are equipped with traffic cameras that automatically issue challans for violations. The transport department’s enforcement wing issues e-challans for various offenses, including the operation of vehicles beyond their legal lifespan and those lacking valid PUCs.

This initiative reflects the Delhi government’s commitment to leveraging technology for efficient traffic management and underscores the importance of addressing unpaid fines to create safer and more disciplined roadways. As the system is set to be automated on the Vahan portal, it signifies a step toward leveraging digital tools to enforce compliance and streamline administrative processes related to traffic violations in the capital.