Unpaid Fines? Government Plans to Bar Defaulters from National Highways
Government Proposes Highway Restrictions for Unpaid Traffic Dues: The central government is planning to amend the Motor Vehicles Act to crack down on drivers who repeatedly ignore e-challans or fail to pay toll taxes. Under the proposed changes, vehicles with unpaid dues could be stopped at toll plazas and barred from using national highways. The move is likely to be announced during the upcoming Budget Session of Parliament.
The objective is to improve road safety and strengthen compliance with traffic rules. Government data shows that only around one-third of e-challans issued so far have actually been paid. Officials believe stricter enforcement will push motorists to follow the rules and clear pending dues on time.
Some measures are already in place. Authorities can now withhold services such as vehicle fitness certificates, insurance renewals, permits, and ownership transfers if fines or toll charges remain unpaid. In the future, repeat offenders may also face tougher licence renewal rules, and insurance premiums could be linked to driving behaviour. Experts stress that these steps should be rolled out gradually and transparently to avoid inconvenience to the public.
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