Road Safety / Uninsured Vehicles Face Seizure: Odisha Deploys E‑Detection Crackdown at Toll Gates

Bhubaneswar, Aug 12: The Odisha Transport Department has adopted a strict stance against vehicles operating without valid insurance, fitness, or pollution certificates.

Expressing deep concern over the issue, Commerce and Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena directed officials to enforce the Motor Vehicles Act rigorously, in line with Supreme Court guidelines.

Under the new measures, e‑detection systems at toll gates across the state will automatically verify documents such as insurance, fitness, and pollution certificates. Vehicles found lacking valid papers will face immediate e‑challans. Repeat offenders risk cancellation of registration certificates and seizure of vehicles.

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Official data highlights the scale of the problem. Out of 1,01,41,951 registered vehicles in Odisha, only 35,68,318 currently have valid insurance, while 65,73,633 are uninsured.

To address this, the department plans extensive awareness campaigns at the RTO level alongside intensified enforcement.

Insurance is critical for ensuring compensation to road accident victims. Authorities stressed that violators not only endanger themselves but also pose risks to others.

The Supreme Court has further recommended that vehicles without valid insurance should not be allowed to purchase petrol or diesel, suggesting a pilot project for implementation by the central government.

The department has advised all vehicle owners to renew their insurance and pollution certificates promptly to avoid legal action and fulfil their responsibility toward society.

Meanwhile, enforcement drives continue across the state. On a single day, 7,890 e‑challans were issued for road safety violations. These included 2,237 challans for riding without helmets and 1,185 for overspeeding.