Ahmedabad: Ahmedabad Police Tightens Traffic Enforcement with New Mobile App and Helmet Mandate

A day after Ahmedabad Police Commissioner G. S. Malik issued an order requiring all police personnel to wear helmets or face penalties—ranging from denial of workplace entry to disciplinary action—the city police introduced new measures to strengthen traffic enforcement.

On Saturday, the police officially launched the Violation on Camera (VoC) mobile application, expanding e-challan generation capabilities. Previously, only head constables and higher ranks were authorized to issue on-the-spot e-challans and collect fines. With the new app, the entire 1,200-strong traffic constabulary can now record violations and send reports to the control room, where e-challans will be generated, explained DCP Traffic (East), Safin Hasan.

Six Ways to Generate E-Challans

The VoC app adds to the existing methods of traffic enforcement under the One Nation, One Challan system, increasing the total to four active methods:

1. CCTV e-challans at major intersections.
2. On-the-spot e-challans by head constables and higher ranks.
3. Speed guns on interceptor vans.
4. VoC app for constables to report violations.

Two additional methods are in development:

• Dashboard cameras (dashcams) on police patrol vehicles.
• Speed cameras on the Sarkhej–Gandhinagar Highway to deter reckless driving.

These new measures are expected to significantly increase the number of e-challans issued.

E-Challan Payment Recovery Rate Improves

The recovery rate for e-challans has seen improvement. Previously, only 9% of offenders paid their fines, but since integrating the One Nation, One Challan system, the rate has risen to 25%. Key system upgrades include the 2023 integration of CCTV e-challans and the January 2024 rollout of on-the-spot e-challans into the national system.

Focus on Repeat Offenders

With all violations now centralized, the Ahmedabad Traffic Police are tracking repeat offenders. DCP Hasan confirmed that the department has requested the RTO to suspend licenses of 6,000 individuals with more than three helmet violations, in accordance with a directive from the Gujarat High Court. The police also recommend license suspension for anyone accumulating six total violations.

How the VoC App Works

Traffic constables can now use the VoC mobile app with their assigned username and password. The app allows them to:

1. Take photos of violations.
2. Submit reports to the control room.
3. Automatically retrieve vehicle registration and owner details.
4. Generate e-challans after control room verification.
5. Notify offenders via SMS with a link to pay the fine online.

Violations Reportable via the VoC App

• Riding without a helmet.
• Not wearing seat belts.
• Using mobile phones while driving.
• Three people riding a two-wheeler.
• Reckless driving (two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and LMVs).
• Traveling on footboards of auto-rickshaws.
• Passengers sitting in the driver’s seat of auto-rickshaws.

These new enforcement measures aim to enhance traffic safety across Ahmedabad, improve compliance, and deter habitual offenders through stricter monitoring and penalties.