Lucknow Transport Launches WhatsApp Drive For E Challans
Motorists in the city have been urged to check their mobile phones for traffic challan notices as the state transport department begins an unprecedented drive to recover crores in unpaid fines through its verified WhatsApp chatbot. The exercise, described as one of the most ambitious in recent years, aims to clear a mounting backlog of pending challans while nudging citizens towards compliance and safer roads.
Officials confirmed that notices are being sent for challans raised in the current financial year, while earlier dues from 2022 and 2023 will follow in subsequent phases. Over 14 lakh notices are expected to be dispatched for 2024–25 alone, with the total outreach likely to touch 36 lakh across three years.
The scale of default is staggering. In the present year, more than 27 lakh e challans were issued across Uttar Pradesh amounting to over ₹1,411 crore. Yet, more than 81 per cent remain unpaid, leaving dues worth nearly ₹790 crore outstanding. The figures highlight both the enormity of enforcement challenges and the scope for digital innovation in streamlining compliance. Data from the transport department shows that four-wheelers top the list of defaulters, accounting for more than half of unpaid fines at around ₹552 crore, with an average penalty of nearly ₹4,600 per challan. Two-wheelers follow closely, underscoring how widespread non-payment is across categories. Multi-offender vehicles, numbering nearly three lakh, alone account for more than ₹338 crore in arrears.
A further concern arises from inaccurate or incomplete contact details. Nearly 8 lakh challans remain linked to vehicle registrations without valid mobile numbers. These missing connections, including thousands of ‘NULL’ entries and registrations with invalid digits, not only block communication but also expose owners to harsher penalties under the Motor Vehicles Act. Transport experts have called the WhatsApp initiative a landmark in citizen services. By using a government-verified channel with a blue tick, the system ensures cyber security, reduces fraud risks, and brings greater transparency. Officials have also urged the public to make payments only through the official Parivahan portal and avoid unverified QR codes or UPI requests.
Observers say that the campaign goes beyond revenue collection. Efficient enforcement of traffic penalties is essential to shaping safer, more sustainable mobility in growing cities like Lucknow. High levels of default not only weaken deterrence but also create inequities in urban governance, where compliant citizens bear the cost of non-compliance by others. As Lucknow continues to expand, mobility management will play a defining role in ensuring that growth remains equitable, eco-friendly, and inclusive. The e challan drive, if successful, could set a template for other urban centres, combining digital technology with behavioural change to build safer roads and more accountable cities.
