The Sikkim Transport Department has announced a 15-day extension for its one-time traffic fine settlement scheme under the AI-driven Traffic Management System. Originally scheduled to conclude on August 31, the initiative will now remain open until September 15, 2025, giving vehicle owners extra time to clear pending fines. The scheme allows violators to settle dues by paying 50% of the total penalty or ₹20,000, whichever is lower.
Launched in July, the program aims to reduce financial burden on vehicle owners while encouraging compliance with traffic regulations. However, initial collections during August recovered only about 25% of outstanding fines, officials said. Challenges included outdated mobile numbers, incomplete or incorrect ownership records, and notifications sent to previous owners or untraceable addresses. The prevalence of common names such as “Karma” or “Sonam” without precise house numbers further complicated the identification process.
An MVD official, speaking on condition of anonymity, noted, “You cannot always put the blame on citizens. The system itself needs to be more robust and accurate.” Following a review, the Transport and Motor Vehicle Departments recommended linking vehicle registrations to Aadhaar and verified mobile numbers to improve accuracy in identifying owners.