What is the story about?
The Intelligent Traffic Management System (ITMS) on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway has issued 27.76 lakh e-challans worth ₹470 crore for traffic violations since its introduction in July last year. However, the recovery of fines has
been poor, with only ₹51 crore collected so far.
Data from the transport department shows that cars were the main offenders in speed limit violations along the 95-km expressway followed by heavy goods carriers and heavy passenger vehicles, such as buses.
A senior official from the Maharashtra Motor Vehicles Department (MMVD) told PTI that between July 19, 2024, and July 17 this year, 27.76 lakh e-challans were issued, amounting to ₹470 crore in fines. Of these, 3 lakh challans worth ₹51.32 crore have been recovered up to July 17. The official
did not provide further details.
In an RTI reply to transporter KV Shetty, it was revealed that the department had paid the ITMS operator ₹57.94 crore for issuing 8.84 lakh e-challans between July 19 and December 31 last year.
Documents indicate that the operator, Proctech Solutions ITMS LLP, earns ₹654.90 for each e-challan issued. This includes ₹555 as the operator’s share and 18% GST.
Purpose and Infrastructure of ITMS
The ITMS, equipped with high-resolution cameras and AI-based detection systems, was
introduced to improve traffic discipline and reduce accidents on the busy Mumbai-Pune Expressway, the PTI reported.
The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has set up 40 gantries and hundreds of CCTV cameras as part of the ITMS infrastructure.
The system includes speed detection cameras, Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR), weigh-in-motion sensors, Automated Vehicle Classification and Counting (AVCC), weather monitoring sensors, a dynamic messaging system, and a central Command and Control Centre (CCC).
Supporting infrastructure is installed at various points along the expressway.
The state transport department provided ₹45 crore as viability gap funding from the Road Safety Fund for the project, which cost over ₹100 crore.
How the E-Challan Process Works
Under the system, reports of traffic violations are generated automatically by ITMS and verified at the CCC by the operator’s staff. The challans are then approved by RTO officials.
While e-challans can be issued for 17 different violations, most so far
have been for speeding, not wearing seatbelts, lane cutting, entering from the wrong side, and using mobile phones while driving.
Speed Limit Concerns in Khandala Ghat
A significant portion of overspeeding challans were issued in the Khandala ghat section of the expressway, the PTI reported citing sources. Transporters have demanded an increase in the speed limit in this section.
Currently, the 10-km ghat stretch has a speed limit of 60 kmph for cars and 40 kmph for heavy vehicles. On other parts of the expressway, the
limits are 100 kmph for smaller vehicles and 80 kmph for heavy vehicles.
Transporters argue that the present limit in the ghat section—located between Lonavala in Pune district and Khalapur in Raigad district—results in frequent challans. They claim it is difficult for heavy vehicles to maintain such low speeds on steep downhill slopes, leading to traffic slowdowns and accidents.
Transport operators have expressed strong dissatisfaction over the large number of e-challans issued and have urged authorities to
address the growing resentment in the transport sector. Last month, transporters staged a strike to protest against the excessive challans for heavy vehicles but called it off after the state government agreed to form a panel to review the matter.
Proposal to Revise Speed Limits
Discussions are underway to increase the speed limit for heavy vehicles, such as trucks and buses, from 40 kmph to 45–50 kmph on the downhill stretch of the Pune-Mumbai arm of the Khandala Ghat.
Data from the transport department shows that cars were the main offenders in speed limit violations along the 95-km expressway followed by heavy goods carriers and heavy passenger vehicles, such as buses.
A senior official from the Maharashtra Motor Vehicles Department (MMVD) told PTI that between July 19, 2024, and July 17 this year, 27.76 lakh e-challans were issued, amounting to ₹470 crore in fines. Of these, 3 lakh challans worth ₹51.32 crore have been recovered up to July 17. The official
In an RTI reply to transporter KV Shetty, it was revealed that the department had paid the ITMS operator ₹57.94 crore for issuing 8.84 lakh e-challans between July 19 and December 31 last year.
Documents indicate that the operator, Proctech Solutions ITMS LLP, earns ₹654.90 for each e-challan issued. This includes ₹555 as the operator’s share and 18% GST.
Purpose and Infrastructure of ITMS
The ITMS, equipped with high-resolution cameras and AI-based detection systems, was
The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has set up 40 gantries and hundreds of CCTV cameras as part of the ITMS infrastructure.
The system includes speed detection cameras, Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR), weigh-in-motion sensors, Automated Vehicle Classification and Counting (AVCC), weather monitoring sensors, a dynamic messaging system, and a central Command and Control Centre (CCC).
The state transport department provided ₹45 crore as viability gap funding from the Road Safety Fund for the project, which cost over ₹100 crore.
How the E-Challan Process Works
Under the system, reports of traffic violations are generated automatically by ITMS and verified at the CCC by the operator’s staff. The challans are then approved by RTO officials.
While e-challans can be issued for 17 different violations, most so far
Speed Limit Concerns in Khandala Ghat
A significant portion of overspeeding challans were issued in the Khandala ghat section of the expressway, the PTI reported citing sources. Transporters have demanded an increase in the speed limit in this section.
Currently, the 10-km ghat stretch has a speed limit of 60 kmph for cars and 40 kmph for heavy vehicles. On other parts of the expressway, the
Transporters argue that the present limit in the ghat section—located between Lonavala in Pune district and Khalapur in Raigad district—results in frequent challans. They claim it is difficult for heavy vehicles to maintain such low speeds on steep downhill slopes, leading to traffic slowdowns and accidents.
Transport operators have expressed strong dissatisfaction over the large number of e-challans issued and have urged authorities to
Proposal to Revise Speed Limits
Discussions are underway to increase the speed limit for heavy vehicles, such as trucks and buses, from 40 kmph to 45–50 kmph on the downhill stretch of the Pune-Mumbai arm of the Khandala Ghat.
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