Rs 600 Cr Unpaid challans: Hyderabad Jt CP Ranganath says mulling discount in fines

"The pandemic has pushed a lot of people into an economic crisis. As a humanitarian gesture and in an attempt to ease people's burdens, the Hyderabad Traffic police will provide some respite by reducing the pending challan amount by a certain percentage," Ranganath told News Meter.

He said the discount rate has not been worked out. Ranganath also pointed out that the backlog of unpaid challans has touched Rs 600 crore since 2014.

He said imposing fines alone might not always be sufficient. He said the main motive for issuing challans is to avoid accidents due to overspeeding. "A study is currently underway which analyses accident data in the last 4-5 years," he said.

Depending on the study, Hyderabad Traffic Police will modify its working in an attempt to reduce accidents, overspeeding and drunken driving.

"So far the study has been found that a majority of accidents take place at night. Hyderabad Traffic Police are also working towards acquiring more speed guns this year. They are particularly looking for guns that will work accurately at night as well," he said.

Hyderabad traffic police cover 6 zones (South, North, Central, East, West, and West-central). Traffic police have 2500 jawans operating from 25 police stations.

Auto rickshaw meters:

Ranganath said auto-rickshaws in Hyderabad will soon run as per the revised government-mandated meter rates.

Ranganath said citizens would no longer need to bargain auto rates. He said commuters will now pay the amount as per the meter rates.

Hyderabad Traffic Police held preliminary talks with auto associations across the city in a bid to provide solutions to pressing issues. Traffic Police particularly enquired why meters are not being used. The auto drivers informed that the meter fare has not been revised since 2016.

In 2016, the fare was set at a minimum of Rs 20 for the first 1.6 km. For 100 meters, the meter readings would increase by Rs 1. The auto drivers argued that these rates are not fair, especially due to the steep hike in fuel prices.

"Hyderabad Traffic Police are writing to the government and other concerned authorities to revise the rates so that meters can be put to use again," Ranganath said.

Public Participation

Hyderabad Traffic Police are also collecting details of various colony and resident welfare associations across Hyderabad. "We want to hold a Zoom conference with the associations and try to solve their various issues- such as parking," Ranganath said.

There are 4000 colonies in the GHMC purview.

Ranganath said that he is aiming to modify the enforcement so that there will be fewer accidents, fewer pending challans, safer roads, less traffic, and better parking facilities.