Maharashtra to roll out body cameras for traffic police; challan rules to change

Maharashtra will equip its traffic police personnel with body-worn cameras (BWCs), and only officers using these devices will be allowed to issue challans for traffic violations, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis told the legislative council on Wednesday.

He said the rollout will begin in phases, starting with major cities. Fadnavis was responding to a query by MLCs from both the ruling and opposition benches, who raised concerns about traffic police personnel using private phones to issue e-challans.

“The government will work on equipping traffic police with Body Worn Cameras in phases. Like Goa, only those police personnel with BWCs can issue challans,” the chief minister said.

He added that a system will be developed to recover fines from challans within six months after they are issued.

“A team, to be led by a senior officer, will study the practices around the world and different states related to the use of technology. Based on its recommendations, a policy will be introduced in the next three months,” the home minister said.