In a significant move to enhance road safety and streamline traffic law enforcement, the Commerce & Transport Department of Odisha has announced the launch of a One-Time Settlement (OTS) Scheme for pending e-challans. The initiative, which began on July 31, 2023, offers vehicle owners a chance to clear outstanding fines at reduced rates.
The scheme is part of the state’s broader push to modernise traffic enforcement through the Intelligent Enforcement Management System (IEMS). This system automates the generation of challans and integrates seamlessly with the Motor Vehicle Act, resulting in a marked increase in the number of violations recorded and penalised across Odisha.
Under the OTS Scheme, vehicle owners can settle challans issued through enforcement activities by paying a discounted fine amount. The initiative is designed to encourage compliance while offering financial relief to citizens burdened by accumulated penalties. Importantly, the scheme applies only to challans generated via electronic enforcement and not those issued manually.
Citizens can avail themselves of the scheme through the Parivahan portal or by visiting designated counters at Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) across the state.
Officials from the department emphasised that the initiative is not just about clearing dues but also about fostering a culture of responsible driving. “We are committed to improving road safety and ensuring that enforcement is fair, transparent, and efficient,” a senior official stated.
The OTS Scheme is expected to significantly reduce the backlog of pending challans and reinforce the state’s commitment to safer roads and digital governance.