Last day for traffic challan payment on discount extended to Jan 31

The State police on Wednesday extended the last date for clearing pending traffic challans on discounted rates till January 31.

A promise it made in the election manifesto, the government had announced the one-time discount on challans vide an order, applicable from December 27 till January 10.

On Wednesday, the police department releasing a statement said the date was being extended in view of the huge rush, encouraging response and economic hardships faced by the public during the pandemic.

According to official figures, between December 27 and January 10, the State earned a revenue of Rs. 113 crore in penalties against 1.29 crore pending traffic challans. Out of it, the lion share of nearly 75.36 lakh challans were from Hyderabad.

Vehicle owners waiting in a queue to pay challans at Central Crime Station in Hyderabad on Wednesday. (Source: NAGARA GOPAL)

And, within Hyderabad, the Hyderabad City police limits witnessed most challans, 37, 50, 470, cleared, and earned about Rs. 28.70 crore. In Cyberabad police limits, about 21.26 lakh pending challans were paid, and Rachakonda nearly 16.60 lakh challans were cleared.

According to the government order, the percentage of discounts varied depending on the class and category of the vehicle.

Owners of two and three-wheeler vehicles need to pay only 20% of the total challan amount. A 60% discount was applicable to light-motor vehicles, which include cars and four-wheelers, and heavy-motor vehicles including trucks. The maximum 90% discount on the challan fee was for push carts and TSRTC buses.

The discounts as per the orders are

80% waiver on two-wheelers and three-wheelers

Only 20% of a challan has to be paid

60% waiver on light-motor vehicles, including cars and four-wheelers, and heavy-motor vehicles including trucks

Only 40% has to be paid

90% waiver on push carts and TSRTC buses

Only 10% of the challan has to be paid