Mumbai: Of the total penalty amount imposed for traffic violation in your city, motorists are still to pay more than 70%. This has been revealed in a reply to a query put out through Right to Information (RTI) Act. A total fine amount of Rs 526 crore had been levied on over 65 lakh motorists between Jan 2024 and Feb 2025. Of the total penalty amount, a chunky pie of Rs 369 crore is pending for payment by nearly 44 lakh motorists, states the reply obtained by activist Anil Galgali.
Admitting that the amount of pending dues is staggering, traffic police officials said they do appeal to motorists via social media, asking them to check if their vehicle has run up penalty, and ask them to pay up. If fines remain unpaid, a chargesheet will be filed in court which will send summons, the officials said. “This could turn out to be embarrassing for the motorist concerned,” said a senior traffic police officer.
According to the reply to the RTI query, 41 traffic divisions and the multimedia department had taken action collectively against the offenders. Fine amounts against some 20.99 lakh receipts have been paid so far.
The reply reveals specific action taken against the unauthorised use of flickering and amber lights. A total of 47 penalty receipts were issued for violation of flicker and amber lights; the penalty amount runs into Rs 23,500. Of these, an amount of Rs 3,500 was paid against seven penalty receipts. Flicker lights are the dazzling front lights with a glare that can be blinding for motorists of oncoming vehicles.
Activist Galgali said a special recovery drive is required to collect pending dues from offenders. “…stricter measures, including seizure of vehicles for major defaulters… is required,” he said.
Sources in the traffic department, however, said a court order does not permit impounding of vehicles only for pending penalty. “We are presenting cases of unpaid challans [receipts] before the Lok Adalat,” said a senior officer.