Odisha to Crack Down on Uninsured Vehicles Through E-Detection
BHUBANESWAR: The Odisha government is set to intensify its efforts to curb vehicles operating without valid insurance, starting February 1. To achieve this, the State Transport Authority (STA) will employ a newly-developed e-detection system at toll gates across the state and issue e-challans to violators.
Odisha will become the fifth state in the country to implement this system. Sources say the e-detection system, which has been installed at all toll gates, will be integrated with an e-detection portal. When a vehicle passes through a toll gate, data will be collected via FASTag and images will be captured.
The captured data will be cross-referenced with the Vahan portal. If a vehicle is found to be uninsured or lacking valid documentation, an e-challan will be automatically issued. This initiative stems from Section 196 of the Motor Vehicles Act, which mandates insurance for all motor vehicles.
Non-compliance can result in penalties. The first offense carries a fine of Rs 2,000, imprisonment for up to three months, or both. Repeat offenders face a fine of Rs 4,000, imprisonment for up to three months, or both.
The government’s decision to strengthen enforcement comes after discovering a significant number of private and commercial vehicles operating without valid insurance. This lack of insurance can deprive road accident victims’ families of due compensation.
The e-detection system is designed to identify violations related to permits, fitness certificates, tax regulations, and insurance status at toll gates. Currently, the system is operational for permit, fitness, and tax violations, with the insurance component slated to be added next month.
Additional Transport Commissioner (Enforcement) Lalmohan Sethi stated that the e-detection system will be activated at all 22 toll gates situated on national highways throughout the state from February 1. “Data collected from national highways show a substantial number of vehicles plying without valid insurance and documents. The system will keep a check on vehicles in a seamless manner. Vehicle owners have been advised to get their vehicles insured to avoid penalties,” he said.
