Due to the high number of unpaid challans for traffic offences, the state approved payment of penalties in cash in Mumbai .
The approval comes with conditions - cash fines are only to be handed over to an officer and not a constable.
For four years until now, payment of fines in cash was not allowed.
The number of unpaid challans in state, till last month, amounts to Rs 602 crore. Over 46% of it (Rs 280 crore) are dues from Mumbai.
The Mumbai Traffic Police were the first in the state to adopt the e-challan system in 2016. An e-challan is sent to the violator's mobile number based on his vehicle records. The system was made cashless as the department was stung too often in the past with complaints of constables demanding bribes. Issuing of e-challans in other parts of the state began in 2019. However, unpaid challans started to pile up. With Mumbai being given the nod to accept cash fines by the additional chief secretary, Pune is likely to be next. But the state wants to minimise contact between motorists and the constabulary. Cash fines can only be paid to an officer (sub-inspector rank and above) on the spot or at traffic chowkies. The online payment option still exists.