Argus News - Breaking News: Got an Unpaid Traffic Fine? Odisha’s New Scheme Lets You Pay Half!

Bhubaneswar, Mar 13: In a major relief for vehicle owners, the Odisha government has announced a One-Time Settlement (OTS) scheme to resolve pending traffic e-challans through the upcoming National Lok Adalat 2026.

The Commerce and Transport Department issued a notification stating that motorists with outstanding challans can now settle their cases by paying reduced fines.

According to officials, nearly seven lakh challan cases remain unresolved in Odisha, while across India, over 37 lakh vehicle check reports are pending.

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To address this backlog, the state cabinet approved the OTS scheme, allowing violators of the Motor Vehicles Act to clear their dues at a discounted rate.

Under the scheme, individuals can pay challan amounts either through the online e-challan portal or at Lok Adalat camps. Pending cases in court will be withdrawn once the reduced fine is paid. The government has clarified that a 50% rebate will be applicable, meaning violators can settle their cases by paying half of the original penalty.

For cases already in court, the National Lok Adalat will facilitate resolution with approximately 50% of the fine amount. This initiative follows directives from the Supreme Court and the central government, ensuring uniformity across states.

The Transport Department expects the scheme to significantly reduce the burden of pending traffic cases while offering citizens a chance to regularize their records without prolonged legal hassles. Moreover, three additional Lok Adalats will be organized this year to extend the benefit to more people.

Officials believe this step will not only ease the judicial backlog but also provide relief to thousands of motorists who have been struggling with unpaid challans. The government hopes the initiative will encourage better compliance with traffic rules in the future.