Bhubaneswar: The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has flagged instances of incorrect booking of traffic offences in Odisha, including cases where two-wheelers were fined for driving without a seat belt and three- and four-wheelers for not wearing a helmet.
According to the CAG report on “Development of Tourism in Coastal Zone in Odisha” and “Functioning of State Transport Authority and Regional Transport Offices in Odisha” for the year ended March 31, 2024, an analysis of VAHAN and e-Challan data for 2019-24 revealed several instances of incorrect booking of traffic offences.
The audit found that 2,988 cases of driving without a seat belt, involving fines totalling Rs 29.88 lakh, were booked against vehicles registered as two-wheelers.
Similarly, 4,786 cases of not wearing a helmet, involving fines totalling Rs 47.86 lakh, were booked against vehicles registered as three- or four-wheelers.
“Analysis of VAHAN and e-Challan data pertaining to 2019-24 revealed that 2,988 cases were booked for driving vehicle ‘without seat belt’ and fine of 29.88 lakh was imposed whereas the vehicles were registered as twowheelers and 4,786 cases were booked for ‘not wearing helmet’ and a total fine of Rs 47.86 lakh was imposed, whereas the vehicles were registered as three / four wheelers,” the CAG said.
The audit observed that such cases indicated a “casual approach” by authorities while booking offences and pointed to a lack of validation controls in the VAHAN system.
The absence of adequate validation controls allowed challans to be issued for offences that could not have been committed by the particular category of vehicle, the CAG said.
The audit referred to provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, and the Odisha Motor Vehicles Rules relating to the mandatory use of protective headgear by motorcycle riders and safety belts by vehicle occupants.
Section 129 of the Motor Vehicles Act, read with Rule 172 of the Odisha Motor Vehicles Rules, provides for the use of protective ISI-marked headgear by persons driving or riding motorcycles in public places.
The audit also referred to provisions prescribing penalties for driving a motor vehicle without wearing a safety belt and for carrying passengers who are not wearing seat belts.
In its response, the Odisha government, in June 2025, stated that the Audit may provide details of the e-Challans for further necessary action.
The CAG, however, pointed out that the audit observation, along with the data analysed, had already been communicated to the State Transport Authority in November 2024.
The audit recommended corrective measures, including cancellation of incorrect e-Challans and appropriate action against officials responsible for issuing challans under incorrect sections.
“Necessary action against the officers responsible for issuing e-Challans under incorrect sections needs to be taken,” the CAG said.
