Introduced by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), Government of India, in 2017 on a pilot basis by the Mumbai Traffic police in October 2016, the e-challan system has since been put into practive all over the country. Aimed at digitising the process of traffic violation enforcement by eliminating manual loopholes, the system is proving to be annoying for transporters however.

It is not the technology, but the ones who deploy the system, claims transporters. Stating that the e-challan system has over time become a source of significant distress for transporters even though its introduction was appreciated by the industry as it digitised the process of traffic violation enforcement and eliminated many manual loopholes, Bal Malkit Singh, Chairman - Core Committe and Former President, All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC), averred, "The system has over time become a source of significant distress for transporters and other road users. It has become a new ‘Frankenstein’ and death knell for the road transport sector.” 

Stating that a strong resentment is brewing and the transport fraternity across the country is agitating, Singh said, “The intention behind e-challans is to improve transparency and reduce manual intervention, but several issues have risen to complicate the situation for transporters.” “The primary issue stems from the large volume of incorrect or excessive e-challans issued to them. Many trucks plying long distances are receiving multiple e-challans for the same alleged offense or due to erroneous readings from speed detection or overloading devices,” he added. 

Giving an example of trucks travelling through multiple states often receiving fines for supposed infractions such as over-speeding or minor overloading even though they are within legal limits, Singh explained, “Such errors accumulate and led to a financial strain for transporters. This is exacerbated as transporters operate nationwide – covering diverse terrains and jurisdictions – that would mean that they may be penalised in various states.” “These fines often lack clarity or the chance for immediate redressal, leading to confusion and increased operational costs,” he elaborated.

Informing that enforcement officials have found a way around technology to generate motivated challans without any verifiable proof of offence, which is leading to acute harassment of the transport fraternity, Singh articulated, “There is neither authentication of any violation through static photo nor there is any transparency leading to acute harassment of the transport fraternity. Static photo of a parked vehicle is clicked and challans are issued for random offences. The vehicle owner may be from a geographically distant state and cannot contest the challan in court. Lack of communication regarding issuance of e-challan to the vehicle owner/operators who is sitting in one part of the country and must travel across the length and breadth of it to get it disposed/rectified.”

With instance where the vehicle owner comes to know of the challans issued only after he tries to dispose of his vehicle, goes to renew its fitness and to renew the permit (in the case of commercial vehicles), the issues with e-challans is pan-India in nature than be limited to a certain geographically or cultural area it looks like. 

Transport associations like the All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) have voiced concerns and are actively engaging with state and central authorities to address the growing problem. They have raised issues related to inaccurate e-challans due to technical errors or faulty detection equipment, lack of a unified system across states leading to inconsistency in how fines are issued and difficulty in contesting these fines as there is no streamlined process for redressal or appealing incorrect challans.

They are demanding a centralised and transparent grievance redressal system, standardisation of e-challan policies, equipment calibration across states and leniency or waiver of penalties that are clearly issued due to system malfunctions, according to Singh. 

Of the opinion that traffic enforcement is a state subject, Singh expressed that the intensity and frequency of issues differ state-to-state therefore and in some states use of faulty equipment or overly strict enforcement practices that has led to a higher number of incorrect challans. Singh drew attention to issues like non-integration with national vehicle databases (such as Vahan 4) in some states. “The system in Telangana for example,” Singh articulated, “has been of specific concern for transporters because it is not fully integrated with the national system, leading to problems like wrongful issuance of challans for vehicles from other states.” 

"The potential solutions to addressing the issue of e-challan," Singh commented, “Is to ensure scientifically verifiable evidence. A centralised grievance redressal system with a nodal officer should be put in place. The exact recording of the offence with exact measurement in case of over-height or overload or similar such case should be presented rather than a picture to avoid any doubt about motivated action. Equipment and procedures should be standardised. Vehicle databases should be integrated. Enforcement officials should ne trained to be humane. The accountability of the enforcement officials should be ascertained whenever the issue of motivated challans is there." 

Image for representative purpose only. 

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CASE Construction Equipment, a brand of CNH, has inaugurated new premises in Faridabad within the National Capital Region (NCR) to expand its customer support and service infrastructure.

The 6,000 sqft facility features double the parts storage capacity of the previous setup, a workshop capable of servicing 10 to 12 machines simultaneously and a dedicated equipment display area showcasing four CASE machine models.

The facility will serve customers across northern India, supporting parts availability and machine maintenance operations. During the inauguration event, which was attended by approximately 40 customers, the company completed two machine handovers and three parts invoicing transactions.

CASE has maintained operations in Faridabad since 2018, when it opened its first company-owned, company-operated showroom in India in the city.

Ravindra Ashtekar, Head of Network Development, CASE Construction Equipment, said, "NCR is an important market for construction equipment, with demand shaped by ongoing infrastructure development and a diverse range of customer requirements. Strengthening our presence in the region is therefore an important part of our efforts to remain accessible to customers and provide dependable support. The new premises bring together enhanced parts storage, workshop capacity and a dedicated machine display area, enabling us to further strengthen our service capabilities and customer engagement."

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JBM Electric Vehicles has launched its all-electric city bus, the ECOLIFE e12, at Singapore Urban Mobility Week 2026. The vehicle was unveiled by Dr Shilpak Ambule, High Commissioner of India to the Republic of Singapore, alongside Nishant Arya, Chairman of JBM Electric Vehicles. The launch marks the first introduction of an electric bus in Singapore by an Indian manufacturer.

The ECOLIFE e12 features an aluminium monocoque body structure and incorporates an Intelligent Transport System compliant with Singapore regulatory standards. The vehicle is equipped with telematics for vehicle health monitoring, an Advanced Driver-Assistance System (ADAS), forward collision warning systems, lane departure warnings, pedestrian and cyclist collision detection, blind-spot monitoring, driver drowsiness detection, a 360-degree camera and a fire detection and suppression system.

To support its regional operations, JBM Electric Vehicles has established its Asia-Pacific headquarters in Singapore to handle sales, marketing, aftersales and operational activities. The company maintains an annual production capacity of 20,000 buses at its manufacturing facility in India and holds an order book of 10,000 electric buses for global deployment over the next two years.

Nishant Arya, Chairman of JBM Electric Vehicles, said, "Our mission is to decarbonize public transport by creating new and sustainable global benchmarks. At JBM EV, we believe that the future of green mobility lies in creating vehicles that seamlessly blend innovation, sustainability and user-centric design. Our electric mobility solutions are not just about reducing carbon footprints, they are about elevating the quality of life for individuals and communities by making transportation smarter, safer, and more accessible. We believe in the power of partnerships and collaboration to continuously improve, listening to the needs of our customers to develop solutions to address their pain points. We constantly evolve to provide new ideas and solutions in the e-mobility world. We invest to better support our customers by thinking global and acting local in meeting the challenges of today and tomorrow."

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Automotive Skills Development Council (ASDC) has partnered with Daimler India Commercial Vehicles to launch a corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative aimed at training and certifying 240 Heavy Commercial Vehicle drivers across Assam, Maharashtra, Jharkhand and Andhra Pradesh.

The programme focuses on expanding the pool of commercial vehicle drivers, improving road safety standards, and providing employment opportunities for candidates.

Under the implementation agreement, 60 candidates in each of the four states will participate in a residential training programme featuring classroom instruction, practical driving and simulator learning.

Daimler India Commercial Vehicles is providing training, residential facilities, meals, licensing support, assessments, certification, insurance and impact studies. ASDC will oversee industry linkages and placement support for certified drivers, alongside conducting three months of post-placement follow-up to track employment retention rates.

Vinkesh Gulati, Chairperson, ASDC, said, "Skilled commercial vehicle drivers are essential to India’s logistics network and economic growth. Skilling for road safety must be an integral part of their preparation, equipping drivers with defensive driving techniques, an understanding of traffic rules and the ability to handle heavy vehicles responsibly. Through this partnership with Daimler India Commercial Vehicles, we aim to prepare 240 young people for professional driving careers by combining practical training, recognised certification and employment assistance. Our goal is to create livelihood opportunities while developing competent, safety-conscious drivers who contribute to safer roads for everyone."

Torsten Schmidt, Managing Director and CEO, Daimler India Commercial Vehicles, said, "At DICV, we believe drivers are the backbone of India's economy, keeping goods moving and communities connected across the country. As the transport sector evolves, professionally trained, safety-conscious drivers are more important than ever. Through this initiative with ASDC, we are investing in skills that not only improve employability but also foster a culture of responsible driving and road safety. By equipping aspiring drivers with the right knowledge, practical expertise and a safety mindset, we are helping build a stronger logistics ecosystem while contributing to safer roads and a more resilient nation."

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John Deere India has sold over 100,000 tractors in India within a single Deere fiscal year, marking an operational milestone in its domestic business.

The achievement reflects the expansion of farm mechanisation across Indian agriculture and the adoption of the company's equipment across varied agro-climatic conditions and crop applications.

In addition to serving domestic requirements, John Deere's Indian operations act as an export hub, supplying tractors and machinery from India to over 110 countries. The company has maintained an operational presence in India for more than 28 years, supported by tractor manufacturing facilities in Pune and Dewas, engineering and enterprise technology centres in Pune, IT hubs in Pune and Bengaluru, parts distribution centres in Nagpur and Indore, and financial services operations in Pune.

Rajesh Sinha, Managing Director and Country Manager of John Deere India, and Strategic Advisor to the President, Construction & Forestry Worldwide, said, "Selling more than 100,000 tractors in a year is not just a business milestone; it is a reflection of the confidence that Indian farmers and channel partners place in John Deere. We remain committed to supporting farmers with reliable equipment, advanced technology and solutions that help improve productivity, profitability and sustainability."

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