Chandigarh, Aug 5 — Director General of Police (DGP) Dr. Sagar Preet Hooda has instructed the city’s Traffic Police to prioritize smooth traffic regulation and public education over the routine issuance of manual challans.
At a high-level review meeting with senior traffic officials, Dr. Hooda said the department must pivot towards automated enforcement systems for everyday violations and reduce dependence on manual challans. “Let the challans for routine traffic violations be issued through automated systems,” he said, adding, “manual intervention should be reserved for visible, dangerous driving or offenses that pose an immediate risk to public safety.”
The DGP’s remarks followed a comprehensive review of the department’s operations and feedback from multiple stakeholders, according to senior officials familiar with the matter.
Citing mounting complaints about alleged misconduct, including harassment of commuters—particularly those with outstation-registered vehicles—Dr. Hooda also issued a sharp warning to personnel. “Anyone found indulging in unprofessional conduct, misbehaviour or causing unnecessary harassment to the public/commuters will not be spared at any cost,” he stated. He emphasized a zero-tolerance approach toward corruption and reaffirmed the force’s commitment to accountability, transparency, and public service.
The move comes amid growing public discontent over the functioning of the traffic policing system in Chandigarh.
Raising the issue in Parliament recently, Chandigarh MP and former Union Minister Manish Tewari criticized what he described as an “extractive and extortive” traffic enforcement structure. In response to a query he posed in the Lok Sabha, the Ministry of Home Affairs had furnished data on the sharp rise in traffic challans issued in the city under the Intelligent Traffic Management System.
Tewari said the figures supported concerns voiced by residents. “An extractive and extortive paradigm has been institutionalised through the Intelligent Traffic Management System in the city,” he remarked, echoing the view of many citizens.
Dr. Hooda’s directives appear aimed at restoring public trust in traffic policing by balancing enforcement with fairness and education. “Our objective should not just be penalizing,” he told officers, “but guiding commuters and ensuring traffic moves safely and smoothly for everyone.
