CAG Flags Major Gaps in Odisha’s E-Challan and Road Safety System

The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has flagged several irregularities and shortcomings in Odisha’s transport administration, including e-challan enforcement, tax recovery, vehicle compliance and road safety.

According to the audit findings covering 2019-20 to 2023-24, as many as 39.55 lakh e-challans remained pending across the state, involving fines worth around ₹1,136.62 crore.

The audit also found instances of incorrect recording of traffic offences. Around 2,988 two-wheeler riders were fined ₹29.88 lakh for allegedly not wearing seat belts, while 4,786 car and auto drivers were issued challans worth ₹47.86 lakh for not wearing helmets.

The report further observed that in several cases, vehicles repeatedly violated traffic rules, but only one or two minor offences were recorded. This resulted in potential loss of around ₹640.87 crore in fines across 13.65 lakh cases.

The recovery of outstanding vehicle tax also remained poor. Against arrears of around ₹530 crore covered under the government’s One-Time Settlement scheme, only ₹9.71 crore, or 1.83 per cent, was recovered.

The CAG also highlighted other compliance gaps. More than eight lakh vehicles aged over 15 years had outstanding green tax exceeding ₹126 crore. Besides, 653 electric vehicles were reportedly subjected to irregular tax collection amounting to more than ₹73 lakh.

More than 19 lakh active vehicles were found operating without High Security Registration Plates, while around 20,000 passenger and commercial vehicles were reportedly running without valid fitness certificates.

The audit also raised concerns over road safety. Odisha had targeted a 50 per cent reduction in accidents and a 20 per cent reduction in fatalities by 2020 under its 2015 Road Safety Policy. However, road deaths reached 5,739 in 2023.

Between 2019 and 2022, 6,429 deaths were linked to non-use of helmets and 2,185 to non-use of seat belts. Meanwhile, more than ₹86 crore in the State Road Safety Fund remained unutilised, according to the audit.