Published Oct 08, 2026 | 1:45 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 08, 2026 | 1:45 PM
AI traffic cameras in Kerala. (iStock)
The Keralam government has approved an e-Challan Amnesty Scheme, offering motorists a 50% concession on fines for eligible Motor Vehicles Act and Rules violations pending up to March 31, 2026.
As of March 31, 1,00,22,255 challans were pending in the state, involving fines totalling ₹9,07,74,86,813.
The Transport Department said multiple unpaid challans against the same vehicle and the high cumulative fines were discouraging vehicle owners from clearing their dues. The continued operation of vehicles without ownership transfer, permit renewal and fitness certificates has also contributed to the accumulation of pending cases.
Under the scheme, 50% of the prescribed fine can be paid to settle eligible challans. The concession will be available from November 1, 2026, to January 31, 2027.
The amnesty will apply only to challans generated on or before March 31, 2026, which have not landed up in court. It covers specified offences under the Motor Vehicles Act, including violations relating to driving without a licence, permitting unauthorised persons to drive, over-speeding, certain offences involving handheld communication devices while driving, dangerous driving, registration and permit violations, overloading and other specified offences.
The decision follows the announcement of an “E-Challan Amnesty Scheme” in the revised Budget for 2026-27, aimed at allowing vehicle owners to clear long-pending dues at a reduced cost. The government has made it clear that no concession will be available for challans issued after March 31, 2026.
Mechanisms for ensuring timely payment of newly generated challans will also be strengthened. The scheme is expected to help reduce the mounting backlog of unpaid fines as well as the number of cases reaching the courts.
It’s not just Keralam. The Supreme Court was recently informed that pending traffic fines across the country totalled ₹49,194.05 crore.
The top court had observed that merely issuing lakhs of e-challans was not enough and that the real challenge lay in enforcing the fines.
“If people aren’t clearing traffic challans, add it to their electricity bill dues. They’ll have to pay electricity bills, else the power line will be disconnected. Work it out. In this country, you have to find a way,” suggested a Bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and KV Viswanathan.
(With inputs from Dileep V Kumar. Edited by R Rajesh Kumar.)
