Lok Adalats are being held more regularly with more benches
With the Supreme Court suggesting that pending traffic challans be added to electricity bills to ease the backlog that amounts to over Rs 20,000 crore nationwide, TOI’s Ishita Jairath takes a look at Delhi’s unpaid fines and explores what is being done to improve recovery.
1 Traffic challan pendency in Delhi is as high as 73%
Camera-generated notices have a higher pendency (75.8%) than on-the-spot challans (66.4%)Total challans and notices (in Crore)Up to Sept 28, 2026On-the-spot challans1.7 cr — Issued1.1 cr — PendingCamera-generated notices4.5 cr — Issued3.4 cr — Pending
2 Speeding tops the cumulative list of unpaid challans…
- Speeding — 1.7 crore
- Improper parking — 85.4 lakh
- Without helmet — 47.8 lakh
- Jumping red light — 47.5 lakh
3 As it does this year as well
Up to Sept 28, 2026
- Speeding — 18.5 lakh
- Improper parking — 17.3 lakh
- Without helmet — 11.2 lakh
- Wrong-side driving — 4.1 lakh
- Without PUCC — 4 lakh
4 Many wait for Lok Adalats
Complicated payment process among the biggest hurdles:Speeding: Online payment available for 90 daysRed-light violations: Grievance can be raised for 15 days, after which the case moves to courtSMS alerts are inconsistentOn-the-spot challans: Some commuters decline immediate payment, citing lack of funds or preferring online/legal routesDaily challans, periodic Lok Adalats: A traffic official said a ₹2,000 challan can sometimes be settled for ₹200. Fines are generated every day, while Lok Adalats are held periodically, adding to the backlog
5 Some key measures that are being taken
➤ Delhi Traffic Police integrated its e-challan system with Bharat Bill Payment System in Sept 2025, allowing old and current compoundable challans to be paid through UPI-enabled apps➤ Challan notifications are also being sent to citizens through WhatsApp, adding another channel for alerts. Sources say challan payments have risen fivefold since the WhatsApp and BBPS integration➤ After Lok Adalats and evening courts, the judiciary and Delhi Traffic Police are now bringing hearings to weekends to speed disposal➤ Lok Adalats are being held more regularly with more benchesAll information is from sources
