RAWALPINDI:
As the Safe City camera installation project enters its final phase, the City Traffic Police (CTP) has decided to issue e-challans for violating traffic rules from January 1, 2025.
With the Safe City cameras, heavy fines will be imposed on those who violate traffic rules on the main highways. Once the e-challan is issued, the challan will be received on the mobile phone and at the home address of the offender.
Sources in the Safe City Control Room told The Express PAkGazette that the plan to install Safe City cameras in Rawalpindi, like other cities of Punjab, has entered the final stage. Effective use of Safe City cameras will keep a close watch on traffic violations along with identifying criminals.
Under the Safe City project, Safe City cameras have been installed on all major highways and business centers and connected to the control room in the center of cities. From which the monitoring and registration process has also begun 27 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Sources said the cameras have become fully functional in the city center at COD Chowk, Fuji Foundation Chowk, Liaquat Bagh, Raja Bazar, Chandni Chowk, Main Commercial Market, Ali Chauhan Chowk, Ayub Park, Jinnah Park, Chaklala Railway Station, Gulzar-e- Quaid, Faizabad Metro Station, Pir Vidhai Mandi Mor Stop, Saddar Bank Road, Qasim Market, 22 No. Bakra Mandi Chowk, Kachhari Chowk, Rawal Road, Committee Chowk, Tench Bhata, Chakri Road and at important places on Murree Road.
Sources further said that the control room of Punjab Safe City Authority (PSCA) Rawalpindi was established opposite Jinnah Park. Giving the details of the e-challan with the help of Safe City cameras, sources added that the e-challan will be issued if the front and rear indicators of the motorcycle are not installed, the motorcyclists do not wear a helmet and do not have a pattern number. Plates are used, both the front and rear number plates of the bike are unclear and are not registered with the excise department.
A challan will be issued against plying of the motorcycle on the expressway and action will be taken for riding a motorcycle without a license and national identity card.
Sources said an e-challan worth Rs 1,500 will be issued without helmet and Rs 2,000 for non-sample number plate. FIRs will also be registered against bicycles ridden by children. Vehicles will receive electronic controls against speeding and rough driving.
E-challan will also be issued for driving without seat belt. An e-challan of the vehicle will be generated for non-parking. Entry into the vehicle from the wrong direction will be penalized and an FIR may also be registered against violators.
Both the front and rear number plates of the vehicle must have computerized number plates issued by the Excise department. Both the challan and the FIR will be lodged against tinted windows and registration plates of non-sample vehicles.
Sources further said that the e-challan process would begin early next year. Once the installation of cameras at Safe City is 100% complete, e-challans can also be issued for other violations of traffic rules on major highways.
According to traffic officials, all preparations for e-challaning are complete and all traffic wardens have already been informed about it. E-Challan will also significantly reduce citizens’ complaints about unnecessary questioning, and citizens will be sent challans with evidence that will be difficult to refute in any forum, they add.
