Bhubaneswar: Starting February 1, the Odisha government will introduce an automated system at toll plazas across the state to detect and penalize vehicle owners driving without valid insurance. This initiative, designed to improve road safety and ensure compliance with the law, will be operational at all 22 toll plazas on the state’s National Highways.
The State Transport Authority (STA) announced the move on Saturday, highlighting that the new e-detection system will automatically flag uninsured vehicles passing through toll plazas. Once flagged, an e-challan will be issued to the vehicle owner, followed by legal action as per the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act.
According to the Act, all vehicles must have valid insurance coverage. Violators face penalties, including fines of Rs2,000, up to three months of imprisonment, or both. Repeat offenders could incur fines of Rs4,000 and additional jail time.
This initiative is part of the Transport Department’s broader efforts to utilize automated systems to enforce road safety regulations. Similar systems are already in place to detect violations like speeding, lapsed fitness certificates, and unpaid taxes.
By ensuring vehicles have valid insurance, the state aims to safeguard families by providing compensation in case of accidents involving uninsured vehicles. This new measure underscores the government’s commitment to enhancing road safety and legal compliance throughout Odisha.
