India’s Unpaid E-Challans Cross ₹49,000 Crore, Exceed Cost of Major Highway Projects
What Happened
India has accumulated ₹49,194 crore worth of outstanding e-challans, with only about ₹26,175 crore recovered so far, leaving nearly ₹23,019 crore unpaid. The amount is larger than the cost of several major infrastructure projects, including the first phase of the Ganga Expressway, and exceeds the annual budgets of multiple smaller states. The issue came under scrutiny after the Supreme Court directed states and Union Territories to take stricter action against motorists with unpaid fines.
Key Takeaways
To improve recovery, the Supreme Court has ordered authorities to block key vehicle-related services for defaulters, including registration renewals, ownership transfers, fitness certificates, and PUC certificates. Vehicles with unpaid e-challans can also be blacklisted on the Parivahan portal and impounded during checks.