HP police introduces electronic system to pay traffic challans

Shimla, Feb 4 (UNI) Catching up fast with the modern technology, the Himachal Pradesh Police has introduced the electronic system for the payment of traffic challans in the state.

The Director General of Police, Ashwani Kumar, through standing orders has issued the guidelines regarding implementation of electronic payment of traffic challan in the state.

The orders maintain that the objective of introducing the electronic payment is to minimise inconvenience to tourists and other motorists.

With adoption of the new electronic system the Challan would not be sent to the Court immediately and the Police would wait for 15 days for compounding of the challan.

Beside, the challan could be paid by 'online traffic challan payment' through police web portal or the payment could made in the core banking account of the assistant general of police (traffic, tourist and railways) in any core banking branch of state bank of India. Apart from this the compounding fee could also be paid at the cash counter in the office of concerned district SP.

Currently under the existing system there are two options available with the person challaned, firstly to compound the challan on the spot if the authorised police officer is present on the spot and secondly, to attend the Court on fixed day and pay the fine as per decision of the Court.

''The tourists and other motorists in the state on being challaned for traffic infringements have to face inconvenience, as they have to attend the courts to pay the fine. Keeping this hassle in view, to facilitate the payment of challan through electronic payment, the additional modes of payment of compounding fee are being introduced,'' the order maintains.

The influx of domestic and foreign tourists visiting the state has been increasing year by year. It is estimated that during year 2006 around 76 lakh tourist visited Himachal, which included around 2 lakh foreign tourists.

Since the air and train services in the state are limited, majority of tourists travel by road and therefore additional modes of payment of are being introduced, the order adds.

The standing orders of the DGP mentions that it would be the responsibility of all concerned districts SP,s. SDPOs , SHO and Incharge Traffic and Tourist squads to ensure that all traffic challans are entered in the relevant module of Web portal every day.

UNI XC AS HS JS1922