Haven’t paid your traffic challan yet? Here’s how Delhi is trying to make you pay up

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 — Pending2 Speeding tops the cumulative list of unpaid challans...Speeding — 1.7 croreImproper parking — 85.4 lakhWithout helmet — 47.8 lakhJumping red light — 47.5 lakh3 As it does this year as wellUp to Sept 28, 2026Speeding — 18.5 lakhImproper parking — 17.3 lakhWithout helmet — 11.2 lakhWrong-side driving — 4.1 lakhWithout PUCC — 4 lakh4 Many wait for Lok AdalatsComplicated 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 backlog5 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 sourcesYou Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Delhi | Silver Rate in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi | Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Petrol Price in Delhi | Diesel Price in Delhi | CNG Price in Delhi | LPG Price in DelhiStay updated with the latest Delhi news. Download the TOI App.