Truckers voice concerns over e-challans, e-detection system on Guj highways
Updated: Aug 1st, 2024
The Gujarat government is planning to introduce an automatic e-detection system at toll plazas to detect vehicles without valid documents such as Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate, registration, insurance, or other permits.
However, the proposed digitisation of the process has caused concerns for the transport firms and truck owners who fear additional charges and lapses in the flow of the process, especially over the fine deductions from the FASTag and the drivers/owners not immediately notified about the same.
According to Akhil Gujarat Truck Transport Association (AGTTA) executive president Mukesh Dave, if vehicle penalties are collected through FASTag but the owner is not immediately informed, they may face new penalties at multiple toll booths throughout the journey. This could lead to pending charges being deducted from their FASTag, potentially exhausting the balance and disrupting their journey.
The new proposed system will connect vehicle modules and e-challans, detect vehicle defects, issue online challans, and adjust against the balance of the FASTag. A software will also check the vehicle at the toll booth if the vehicle has pending registration or clearing issues.
However, according to a letter to the commissioner of the transport on July 29, the AGTTA stated that the owner of the truck would not receive the challan immediately and would continue their journey.
Thus, unnecessary fines will continue to be imposed at other toll booths, too.
The letter sought to clarify how the details of the money collected in the FASTag after the e-challan are updated in the system and how the vehicle owners are informed about it.
The letter states that truck owners deposit the balance in the FASTag as per the need of the day’s journey.With the new system, vehicles can get stuck. The letter calls for a discussion on the issue with the transport owners and then comes to a conclusion.
Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) in Ahmedabad City, N N Chaudhari, assured that a pilot project will be conducted before implementing the scheme.
This will help identify and address any shortcomings, ensuring that transporters have the opportunity to present their concerns before the scheme is rolled out nationwide.
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