Punjab Cabinet Approves Major Amendments Under E Challan Punjab System
The Punjab Cabinet passed 20 amendments to the Motor Vehicle Ordinance 1965 in an attempt to update the traffic regulations and increase the E Challan Punjab rates. The summary is forwarded to the Punjab Assembly to ensure its final approval.
The new proposal increases the current traffic fine range of Rs 200–1,000 to Rs 2,000–20,000. Over-speeding fines under the E Challan Punjab plan will include Rs 2,000 for motorcycles, Rs 5,000 for cars up to 2,000cc, and Rs 20,000 for vehicles above 2,000cc.
Commercial and public transport vehicles may face fines of up to Rs 15,000 for over-speeding and Rs 2,000–15,000 for traffic signal violations.
The new traffic policy suggests Rs 10,000 fines for lane and zebra crossing violations and Rs 2,000–15,000 fines for using a phone while driving. Authorities will register cases against anyone allowing underage driving.
Front-seat passengers must now wear seatbelts, while vehicle modification without permission will result in legal action. The government also plans to give legal status to E Challan Punjab and computerized driving licenses.
The amendments introduce a new point-based system under E Challan Punjab. Each traffic violation will deduct 2–4 points from the driver’s record. Drivers losing 20 points will face license suspension from six months to one year.
The intention of these measures is to enhance road safety and the digital monitoring of the traffic violations in the Punjab.
