Don’t force motorists to pay dues on road, traffic cops told

Mumbai: The additional director general of police (state traffic) has issued a circular to all traffic units across Maharashtra directing them not to force motorists to pay pending e-challans on roads or threaten them for unlawful payments. As per the circular, pending fines are to be accepted if they are voluntarily paid by the motorist. It also said vehicles can be seized only with a court order.

The circular was issued after a meeting between the transport minister and members of transport associations on March 2. The associations claimed that transport vehicles were made to wait on streets for very long for recovery of pending fines. They said that unlawful payments were demanded from drivers if the dues were not cleared, and they were also threatened with seizure of vehicles or documents.

The circular said a standard operating procedure had been issued in connection with recovery of pending fines and seizure of vehicles and all traffic units must adhere to it. Traffic police personnel were instructed to behave politely with motorists. Disciplinary proceedings could be initiated against those found not adhering to this circular.

"Subsequent to our meeting and concerns raised by us regarding harassment and illegal recovery of e-challans, the authorities have issued clear orders to stop such practices. We welcome this positive step and hope directions will be strictly implemented on the ground," said Bal Malkit Singh, member of Maharashtra Transporters Action Committee.

In a separate circular, the traffic department instructed all units to not issue no-parking challans to authorised school buses at locations where they pick up or drop children. It, however, said strict action will be initiated against unauthorised vehicles that ferry schoolchildren.

Ramesh Manian from School Bus Operators' Association said operators need a proper citywide schedule of authorised pickup and drop zones for students. "In the absence of such a schedule, operators work out stops themselves and schools display them on notice boards for parents. Many of these are on busy roads. Traffic police take photos of numberplates of buses and issue no-parking challans. This is absurd as we halt only for a minute or two to ensure children board and alight safely."

The circular also instructed traffic units that tourist buses with national permits should not be issued no-parking challans for the time that passengers board or alight from the bus. Harsh Kotak from Mumbai Bus Malak Sanghatana, which represents tourist and corporate buses, said operators were frustrated over being issued such challans.