Maharashtra plans to deploy radar-equipped vehicles to detect traffic violations

What’s the story?

To improve detection of traffic violations, the Maharashtra Motor Vehicles Department (MMVD) has announced plans to introduce radar-equipped interceptor vehicles.

This is a first for an Indian state and is likely to increase the number of e-challans issued by the Regional Transport Offices (RTO) flying squads.

The initiative represents a significant step towards improving road safety enforcement across Maharashtra.

It detects multiple traffic violations at the same time

The radar systems to be installed on the interceptor vehicles detect several traffic violations at the same time.

The radar-based system will be installed in 96 interceptor vehicles, most of which arrived about a month ago and are awaiting installation.

The use of such vehicles is expected to significantly increase the efficiency of issuing e-challans, with an estimated capacity of 800-900 e-challans per hour.

Radar system for detecting various traffic violations

Traffic Commissioner Vivek Bhimanwar explained that the radar system will detect the speed of the vehicle and take photos so that multiple violations can be detected without having to stop vehicles.

The system focuses on violations such as speeding, changing lanes, riding in three seats, riding on two wheels without a helmet and riding without a seatbelt.

Interceptor vehicles are strategically parked in high-risk areas for effective enforcement.

MMVD is working with Ashoka Buildcon to install the radar system

The MMVD collaborated with the IT department of Ashoka Buildcon to install the radar system. It will be operational in 2025.

Each interceptor vehicle costs ₹12-13 lakh through the government’s marketplace portal and after installing the radar system, it will cost around ₹16 lakh.

The contract also includes five years of comprehensive maintenance of this advanced traffic monitoring system.

Radar system for integration into ITMS

The radar-based system will also be integrated with the Intelligent Traffic Management System (ITMS), which consists of PCs, laptops and other devices.

This will enable on-site RTO inspectors to issue e-challans based on the images and details received through the system.

The move is part of MMVD’s broader plan to leverage technology for more efficient detection and enforcement of traffic violations across Maharashtra.