Pay traffic fine by card in Delhi from August 15

This Independence Day, you will get freedom from having to pay traffic fines by cash. Subhendu Ray reports.

This Independence Day, you will get freedom from having to pay traffic fines by cash.

On August 15, the Delhi traffic police will put into effect the e-challan project, under which you will be able to pay on-the-spot fines for traffic violations by swiping your debit or credit card. You will also retain the option to use cash.

"For the past few weeks, we have been conducting successful trials with more than 500 devices. On August 15, we will make the e-challan system functional in the entire city," said Anil Shukla, additional commissioner of police (traffic). "We expect to get the home ministry's approval within a few days for a State Bank of India payment gateway."

New Delhi will then join the league of cities such as Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chennai and Mumbai where the e-challan system is already in place.

"E-challans will help us keep track of repeat offenders as the data of every violator fined under this system will be stored in central servers," said a traffic police officer.