Chandigarh Court Cancels 115 Challans: 65 for Ambulances, 50 for VVIP Movement..

Chandigarh : In a recent development, the Chandigarh Court has canceled 115 traffic challans, including 65 issued to ambulances and 50 related to VVIP movement. These challans were originally issued by the Chandigarh Traffic Police, which later submitted a report justifying their cancellation. The court reviewed the matter and decided to nullify the fines, acknowledging the necessity of these vehicles’ movement.

The case surfaced when several ambulance drivers and government officials challenged the fines, arguing that their vehicles were on emergency duty or part of official convoys. According to the traffic department, the challans were automatically generated through surveillance cameras, and in some cases, manual tickets were issued due to perceived violations. However, upon detailed verification, it was found that these vehicles were operating under essential or high-security protocols.

Chandigarh Police had earlier recommended the cancellation of these challans, citing public safety and government protocol as primary reasons. The report emphasized that emergency service vehicles should not be penalized if they are responding to urgent situations. Similarly, VVIP movements often require special permissions and security clearances, which may lead to deviations from standard traffic rules.

Legal experts stated that traffic enforcement must balance regulation with practical considerations. While maintaining road discipline is crucial, penalizing emergency vehicles could hinder their ability to save lives. The court’s decision has been widely welcomed by ambulance operators and government officials, who had raised concerns about unnecessary financial and legal burdens.

Despite this cancellation, authorities have reiterated their commitment to improving traffic monitoring systems to avoid such issues in the future. Chandigarh Traffic Police is reportedly working on enhancing AI-based surveillance technology to differentiate between genuine violations and essential vehicle movement.

The court’s ruling sets an important precedent, highlighting the need for a fair and flexible approach to traffic management. While strict enforcement is necessary, authorities must also ensure that emergency and official duty vehicles are not unfairly penalized. This decision has sparked discussions on traffic policy reforms to streamline exemptions for essential services in urban areas.