Bhubaneswar The Odisha government has introduced a one-time settlement (OTS) scheme for pending electronic challans (e-challans) issued under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, aiming to clear backlogs in pending traffic cases issued by the Transport Department.
The Commerce and Transport Department announced the initiative through a gazette notification published on March 12.
This special scheme is timed ahead of the National Lok Adalat sessions scheduled for 2026 by the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), providing vehicle owners an opportunity to resolve outstanding fines at substantially reduced rates without facing court trials, additional penalties, or prolonged legal processes.
The National Lok Adalat 2026 is being held in Odisha on March 14.
The measure builds on earlier OTS efforts from 2025, extending relief to eligible pending challans irrespective of when the violations occurred. Motorists can settle these through payment at designated counters during Lok Adalat proceedings or via the government’s e-challan portal https://echallan.parivahan.gov.in.
The key reduced compounding amounts outlined in the notification are as follows: general offences are settled at 50% of the standard penalty; speeding in a light motor vehicle is capped at Rs 1,000; violations involving oversized vehicles and failures to yield to emergency vehicles or operate without a permit are capped at Rs 5,000 each; excess speed in heavy motor vehicles, unregistered driving, driving without a valid licence, or permitting an unlicensed person to drive are set at Rs 2,000–Rs 2,500 each; seatbelt/helmet non-compliance or carrying more than one pillion rider on a two-wheeler is Rs 500 each; and overloading attracts Rs 10,000 plus Rs 1,000 per excess tonne.
