In a startling revelation that underscores a blatant disregard for traffic laws, the Lucknow Police have identified two non-gear scooters that have collectively accumulated a staggering 463 challans over recent years. The fines imposed on these two-wheelers now surpass their total market value, leaving authorities both stunned and determined to crack down.
Scooters Worth Pennies, Fines Worth Lakhs
The investigation uncovered two extreme cases. One scooter, a 2019 model Honda Activa, was issued a shocking 262 challans in the last six years. The other, an older model, was penalized 201 times. The monetary value of these penalties has dwarfed the scooters' worth on the open market.
The 2019 Activa, currently valued at approximately Rs 18,000-20,000, carries unpaid fines amounting to a colossal Rs 2 lakh. The older scooter, with a market price of Rs 10,000-12,000, has pending penalties of Rs 1 lakh. In response to this egregious record, the Regional Transport Office (RTO) has suspended the registration of both vehicles.
A Pattern of Persistent Violations
The first fine on the 2019 Activa was issued in November 2019 for riding without a helmet. This set the tone for a long history of infractions. Police records show the vehicle was repeatedly penalized for wrong-lane driving, jumping traffic signals, and parking in no-parking zones. Notably, 30 challans were issued for helmet-related violations alone.
The second vehicle faced penalties for illegal modifications, along with other common traffic offenses. Despite numerous attempts, the police have been unable to locate the owners. DCP (Traffic) Kamlesh Dixit explained that the addresses listed during registration were old rental accommodations, and the owners had moved without updating their records.
City-Wide Crackdown on Chronic Offenders
The traffic police have now escalated the matter. They have alerted the Intelligent Traffic Management System (ITMS) control room to track these vehicles. "Whenever these vehicles are detected anywhere in the city—whether through ANPR cameras, checkpoints, or patrolling teams—they will be immediately seized," stated DCP Dixit. A detailed report will then be sent to the RTO for further legal action.
This case is not isolated. Data reveals a broader problem of non-compliance in Lucknow. As many as 435 vehicles in the city have over 50 unpaid challans each. Two-wheelers are the biggest offenders, constituting 376 out of these 435 vehicles. The list also includes 22 four-wheelers, 32 three-wheelers, three luxury cabs, one bus, and one e-rickshaw.
Officials noted that 55 vehicles have 100 or more challans each. The Traffic Police have forwarded the complete list of these chronic offenders to the RTO. ADCP (Traffic) Ashok Kumar Singh confirmed that vehicles with 50 or more challans will have their registrations suspended and will be seized.
Despite ongoing awareness campaigns and penalties, many motorists continue to ignore road safety rules. The traffic department is now planning stricter enforcement and spot verification drives to trace and impound vehicles with heavy outstanding fines, signaling a renewed push for accountability on Lucknow's roads.
