Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Aldona MLA Adv. Carlos Alvares Ferreira has called for an immediate halt to the automated issuance of traffic e-challans at problematic stretches, including the Bastora flyover and underpass, urging the Transport Department and traffic police to review the AI-powered camera system amid complaints of alleged erroneous fines for signal violations and line crossing.
Ferreira said he welcomed the government’s move to install AI-powered CCTV cameras at various locations but stressed that the technology should serve broader purposes, including monitoring public movement and enhancing public security, while protecting individual privacy.
“The technology should not be just about generating traffic fines,” he said, highlighting concerns raised by citizens over automated challans issued for alleged traffic violations.
According to Ferreira, some motorists have reportedly received fines for using a mobile phone while stationary at a red signal and for allegedly crossing a red light while waiting at the stop line.
He also questioned the clarity of road markings at the signal below the Bastora flyover and near the KTC bus stand in Mapusa. Claiming to have personally inspected the markings, he said Public Works Department (PWD) authorities had confirmed that they had not been asked to draw the stop lines at the locations.
“How are the authorities issuing challans in the absence of stop lines and clear indication of breakage of signal?” he asked, calling for a review of the system and similar locations where road markings may be unclear.
Ferreira also clarified that reports claiming electricity connections would be disconnected for non-payment of traffic fines were false, referring instead to provisions concerning restrictions on vehicle-related services and enforcement measures.
Citing a Supreme Court order dated September 28, 2026, he said the directions included restrictions on certain vehicle-related online services for vehicles with outstanding fines, including the renewal and issuance of duplicate registration certificates, updates to owner addresses, fitness certificates and ownership transfers. He also referred to provisions concerning the blacklisting of vehicles on the Parivahan portal, action against driving licences in cases involving multiple violations, and restrictions on the issuance of pollution under control (PUC) certificates until pending fines are cleared.
He further referred to directions for random vehicle checks and the possible impounding of vehicles where e-challans remained unpaid or uncomplied with.
Expressing concern over the impact of such enforcement measures on motorists who dispute the fines, Ferreira said erroneous challans could cause hardship, particularly for people who could not afford legal assistance or navigate the process of challenging them.
“The government has come out with a statement that there will be a window period to object to and contest this. How many people will be able to object to and contest this?” he asked, citing fisherfolk, vegetable vendors and daily wage earners as examples of people who could struggle to challenge disputed fines.
He questioned why innocent motorists should face penalties for alleged violations they had not committed and called for an accessible mechanism to resolve grievances before coercive action was taken.
Ferreira urged the Transport Department to ensure complete transparency, oversight and verification, arguing that e-challans should not be generated automatically without human review.
He also sought accountability for officials responsible for issuing wrongful challans or for the alleged wrongful impounding of vehicles based on incorrect fines, calling for safeguards to ensure fair treatment of motorists.
