No PUC? Get Ready To Pay 10,000 Rupees FASTAG-Linked Fine At Toll Plaza
The Bihar government, in order to collect fines, has come up with a very effective solution that can catch many vehicle owners off guard. It has been reported that if someone is driving without a valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate, they need to prepare themselves for a hefty fine of up to Rs 10,000. Now, what’s even more shocking is that this fine will be slapped instantly as you pass through a toll plaza. Yes, you heard that right. As soon as you cross the toll plaza, you’ll be alerted that you have been fined this massive amount.
E-Detection System for Fines
As per the reports, the Bihar government has recently rolled out an automatic e-detection system at all toll plazas across the state. With this new system, it will be transforming how vehicle compliance is enforced. This system is currently live at 32 toll plazas in Bihar, and it is integrated with FASTag technology.
This means that it will ensure that every vehicle passing through the toll booth undergoes a thorough check. What will happen once the vehicle crosses a toll is that this system will capture the vehicle’s data. It will include a photograph and instantly cross-reference this information with the National Informatics Centre’s (NIC) vehicle portal.
This e-detection system will then check whether the vehicle has a valid PUC certificate, insurance, fitness certificate, and permit. If any discrepancies are found, such as an expired or missing PUC certificate, an automatic e-challan (electronic fine) is generated on the spot.
The fine amount for lacking a PUC certificate can be as high as Rs 10,000. And if there is a fine to collect, the e-challan will be sent directly to the vehicle owner’s registered mobile number. According to the government, this will ensure that there is an immediate notification of the penalty.
Different Fines for Different Offences
Currently, the fine for driving without a valid PUC certificate, as mentioned, is Rs 10,000. This penalty was introduced under the Central Motor Vehicles Rule. It applies to both new and old vehicles. While the PUC certificate has long been a mandatory document for vehicle registration and insurance, many drivers still neglect to keep it up to date.
So now, with this new e-detection system, it will prompt all drivers to make sure that they have a valid PUC with them at all times. Apart from the PUC, this new e-detection system can also check if the vehicle has up-to-date motor insurance and a valid fitness certificate (FC).
According to motor laws, driving without motor insurance incurs a fine of Rs 2,000 and may result in up to three months of imprisonment. Additionally, driving without a valid FC can lead to a fine ranging from Rs 2,000 to Rs 5,000 for the first offense.
As for repeat offenders, the fine then goes up to between Rs 5,000 and Rs 10,000, with the possibility of imprisonment. Additionally, there is a daily fine of Rs 50 for each day that the FC remains overdue.
As per the reports, in just over two days of trial runs, more than 5,000 e-challans were issued. This highlights that the system is working with efficiency. According to the Bihar government, this system aims to reduce the number of defaulting vehicles on the road.
Expansion of This E-Detection System
It has been stated that following the success of the e-detection system at toll plazas, the Bihar government is considering expanding its use. There are plans to integrate the system with cameras in smart cities like Patna, Muzaffarpur, and Bhagalpur.
Currently, these cities use e-challans primarily for traffic violations such as not wearing a helmet, seatbelt, triple riding, or overspeeding. However, once integrated with the e-detection system, these cameras will also be able to automatically issue e-challans for vehicles without valid PUC certificates, insurance, or fitness certificates.
This expansion could mark a significant shift in how traffic laws are enforced across urban areas, further reducing the number of non-compliant vehicles and improving road safety. The government’s initiative underscores the importance of maintaining vehicle documentation and adhering to traffic regulations, as failure to do so could result in severe financial penalties and legal consequences.