Mohali Grapples with Massive Traffic Violation Backlog as Helmet Offences Soar
In Mohali, the persistent issue of traffic violations has reached alarming levels, with police data revealing a staggering backlog in challan disposal. Despite rigorous enforcement efforts, offenders, particularly those riding without helmets, have become habitual violators, underscoring a critical breakdown in road safety compliance.
Overwhelming Pending Challans Undermine Enforcement
Official statistics paint a grim picture: out of 6.47 lakh challans issued for various traffic infractions, only 1.13 lakh, approximately 17.5%, have been disposed of. This leaves over 82% of challans pending, severely hampering the effectiveness of enforcement measures. Remarkably, Mohali police have managed to collect a total revenue of Rs 11.67 crore from these efforts, but the low disposal rate indicates systemic inefficiencies.
Helmet Violations Dominate the Offence Landscape
Over the past year, Mohali police recorded 4.56 lakh traffic violators, with helmet-related offences accounting for the largest share. Specifically, 2.86 lakh challans were issued to two-wheeler riders not wearing helmets, while 1.70 lakh challans targeted pillion riders. This widespread non-compliance with basic road safety norms highlights a deep-seated disregard for protective measures.
However, disposal rates in helmet violation cases remain critically low. Only 61,826 helmet-related challans, about 13%, have been resolved so far. This includes 30,946 challans for riders and 30,880 for pillion riders. In terms of revenue, Rs 6.15 crore has been collected from helmet violations, with Rs 3.09 crore from riders and Rs 3.08 crore from pillion riders.
Other Major Violations and Enforcement Gaps
Speeding emerged as the second highest traffic violation, with 93,635 challans issued. Of these, 27,959, around 29.8%, have been disposed of. Red light jumping ranked third, with 66,511 challans issued, of which only 17,497, or 26.3%, have been resolved.
Interestingly, violations related to disobeying police signals and incorrect registration number plates showed a 100% disposal rate. Only one challan was issued for disobeying a police signal and two for incorrect number plates, all of which were disposed of, indicating selective enforcement in less common cases.
Police Efforts and Public Apathy Fuel the Crisis
Police officials reported that enforcement teams have intensified checking at major junctions and high-traffic corridors, yet compliance remains inconsistent. Many riders continue to flout helmet rules, often citing short travel distances or the absence of immediate penalties. Officials noted that delays in penalty enforcement encourage repeat offences by habitual violators, exacerbating the problem.
The backlog of pending challans has significantly weakened the deterrence factor and impacted revenue realisation. Experts emphasized that timely and consistent enforcement is crucial to improving compliance. They called for better coordination between enforcement teams and digital challan processing systems to streamline operations and reduce delays.
Authorities Push for Stricter Measures and Awareness
Mohali police reiterated that helmets are essential not merely to avoid penalties but to prevent serious injuries and fatalities. In response to the growing concern, authorities are considering stricter enforcement measures, intensified awareness campaigns, and faster challan disposal mechanisms. These steps aim to address the root causes of non-compliance and enhance overall road safety in the region.
- Total challans issued: 6.47 lakh
- Disposed of: 1.13 lakh (17.5%)
- Pending: Over 82%
- Helmet violations total: 4.56 lakh (riders: 2.86 lakh, pillion: 1.70 lakh)
- Helmet violations disposed of: 61,826 (13%)
- Revenue from helmet violations: Rs 6.15 crore
- Other violations: Overspeeding (93,635 issued, 27,959 disposed), Red light jumping (66,511 issued, 17,497 disposed)
- Total revenue collected: Rs 11.67 crore
