Visakhapatnam: RTA special drive to speed up collection of pending fines

Visakhapatnam: A special drive has been initiated by the transport officials to collect fines from motorists for violating traffic regulations.

In Visakhapatnam district, thousands of challans remain unpaid by the motorists for the past couple of years. To clear the pending dues, Road Transport Authority (RTA) officials spearheaded the special drive. As part of the drive, RTA is sending bulk text messages to motorists with data available with them. RTA authorities are gathering updated contact numbers of motorists to send alerts and messages. The message clearly indicates the registration number of vehicle along with the amount of fine pending that varies from Rs 100 to Rs 1,400. Sharing details with The Hans India, Deputy Transport Commissioner (DTC) G C Raja Ratnam said, "Motorists will be warned to pay the fine within three working days to avoid further action."

According to RTA data, about 40,478 challans are pending and the value has crossed Rs. 2.62 crore. After the implementation of e-challan system in the district, vehicle owners can avail the facility of paying penalty online. But penalties imposed before the e-challan system came into place should be paid directly at the RTA office. Motorists who receive the messages will have to visit the RTA office to pay the fine.

In 2017, RTOs used to conduct special drives using interceptor vehicles to prevent over speeding of vehicles and make wearing helmet a habit at regular intervals. Vehicle owners were penalised based on registration number of their vehicles. Many of them are yet clear the penalties.

Transport officials say they are keen on collecting the pending challans at the earliest so as to avoid problems during auditing.