Bhubaneswar, Jan 18: Toll gates across Odisha are set to assist the State Transport Authority (STA) in identifying vehicles without valid insurance. Starting February 1, 2025, the 22 toll gates located on National Highways (NHs) in the state will use an e-detection system to identify vehicles lacking valid insurance.
The system will automatically detect uninsured vehicles, and e-challans will be issued to their owners directly at the toll gates, according to a statement from the STA.
This initiative mirrors the e-challan system already in place for traffic violations in Ahmedabad, where enforcement is automated.
The STA has advised vehicle owners to ensure their insurance is valid before the new system begins. This move is part of a larger road safety initiative aligned with the 'Come Home Safe' campaign, which promotes safe driving practices across the state.
Under the Motor Vehicle Act, driving without valid insurance is illegal. For a first offense, drivers will face a fine of Rs 2,000, while the penalty increases to Rs 4,000 for a second offense. In some cases, drivers may also face imprisonment for up to three months.
A significant concern has been the lack of valid insurance among vehicles in the state, leaving victims of road accidents without compensation. To address this, the STA is implementing the e-detection system at toll gates, which previously helped identify vehicles lacking other important documents such as fitness and pollution control certificates.
