Facing Backlash, Sikkim Issues SOPs for E-Challan Amid Public Outrage Over AI Traffic System
First Published: 6th April, 2025 12:04 IST
Effective April 10, no e-challan shall be auto-generated immediately in cases involving “document failure-based violations.”
In response to mounting public outrage and widespread criticism on social media over the issuance of allegedly false and unjustified e-challans through an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered system, the Sikkim Transport Department on Saturday issued a set of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) aimed at regulating the issuance of e-challans.
Local drivers and vehicle owners raised serious concerns over the issuance of false and unjustified e-challans. Many accused the AI-driven system of lacking accuracy and transparency, leading to undue penalties.
According to the office order released by the department, effective April 10, no e-challan shall be auto-generated immediately in cases involving “document failure-based violations.”
Instead, the system will first conduct multiple rounds of auto-verification with the National Informatics Centre (NIC) database. If any vehicle document is found expired or unavailable, the vehicle owner in Sikkim will receive a prior alert via SMS or WhatsApp.
The SOPs provide a 10-day window for owners to update their documents on the online VAHAN portal if valid records exist. Only upon failure to do so within the stipulated period will the system generate a formal e-challan.
In a significant step to restore public trust, the department also announced that any e-challan proven to be falsely generated by the AI cameras will be cancelled, and the vehicle owner will be compensated with double the penalty amount previously imposed.
The order also reiterated that the onus of ensuring accurate and updated documentation including mobile numbers rests with the vehicle owners.
This proactive step by the state government aims to bring more fairness and accountability to the use of AI in traffic enforcement.
Also Read: Sikkim: 12 Left-Out Communities in ST List Soon? What Did the High Level Committee Decide?
Also Watch:
For more news and updates, visit: Northeast Live
COMMENTS
TOPMOST STORY NOW
Live #WATCH | Another Viral Video of Sonam And Raja Raghuvanshi’s Wedding and Sangeet Video Goes Viral
18th June 2025
Live Israel-Iran War | Wasbir Hussain Decodes the War So Far
18th June 2025
Live Who is Sanjay Verma? Why Did He Call Sonam 119 Times? Who is Ujwala Yadav Who Was on the Bus With Sonam?
18th June 2025
Live Ahmedabad Plane Crash Victim Lamnunthem Singson Was Planning to Visit Manchester United’s Iconic Old Trafford Stadium
18th June 2025
WE RECOMMEND
Sikkim: Key Meeting Held at Tashiling Secretariat to Plan Relief for Flood-Hit Lachen
The Chief Secretary assured that all necessary measures would be sanctioned swiftly to ensure timely relief and rehabilitation support.
17th June 2025
Did Selfie Craze Kill 22-year-old Sikkim University Student at Hidden Falls
A native of Timburbung in the Soreng district, Sunaina reportedly slipped while taking photographs near the cliff edge.
16th June 2025
Tragic: 25-Year-Old Commits Suicide Over Online Gaming Debts in Sikkim
Michael Limboo was addicted to online games to such an extent that he took loans to play
13th June 2025
Army Camp Swept Away by Landslide: 2 More Bodies Recovered After 8 Days, Headless Torso Could be of Missing Lt Col’s Wife or Daughter
The body of Army jawan Sainudheen PK was recovered, bringing the total number of bodies to have been found to 3.
10th June 2025
Assam Medical Student Assaulted Allegedly Inside Sikkim Manipal Hostel; University Authorities Yet to Respond
As of now, the Sikkim Manipal authorities have not issued any official statement.
07th June 2025