60L CHALLANS UNPAID POST-LOK ADALAT

The recently held Lok Adalat to collect pending challans was not a success. Only `1.5 crore of pending arrears was collected, and another `1.5 crore waived, leaving 60 lakh challans worth `90 crore still to be paid.

Experts faulted the traffic police for conducting the exercise at one place for a city of 625 sq.km.

“The venue was not easily accessible. For motorists outside GHMC limits, it takes 90 minutes to reach it and then they had to wait for two to three hours in queue. The Lok Adalat should have been arranged at more than one locations,” said social activist B. Venugopal.

Former director general of Engineering Staff College of India Dr S. Nagabhushan Rao said, “There is a general feeling among motorists that cops won’t be able to catch them even if they don’t pay up. There is a need to put an end to this psyche. The best way to do so is to intensify checking and seize vehicles for pending challans. Motorists may be given a last chance with Lok Adalat counters at various locations.”

City criminal courts advocate S. Pradeep Kumar said, “Those who paid their challans before the Lok Adalat might feel let down. Conducting the Lok Adalat at multiple jurisdictions would have been a good idea and a valid reason for traffic cops to seek permission for it from the judiciary,” he said.

Deputy commissioner of police (traffic) A.V. Ranganath said there was a huge demand for Lok Adalat counters to be set up in various parts of the city.

For motorists from outside GHMC limits, it takes 60 to 90 minutes to reach Gosha Mahal and then the long wait in queue. The Lok Adalat should have been at more than one place — B. VENUGOPAL, Social activist