AI cameras slap Rs 470 crore in fines on Mumbai-Pune Expressway, barely Rs 51 crore paid

Data shows cars accounted for 17.20 lakh e-challans, making them the biggest offenders for speed limit violations.

The Intelligent Traffic Management System (ITMS) on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway has generated 27.76 lakh e-challans worth Rs 470 crore since it was launched in July 2024, but the state has managed to recover only Rs 51 crore in fines so far, according to data from the Maharashtra Motor Vehicles Department (MMVD), as reported by PTI.

The system, equipped with AI-powered cameras and detection tools, was introduced to improve compliance and reduce accidents on the 95-km expressway. However, the flood of fines, especially for overspeeding, has sparked resentment among transporters, PTI reported.

Data shows cars accounted for 17.20 lakh e-challans, making them the biggest offenders for speed limit violations. They were followed by:

Heavy goods carriers: 3.27 lakh

Buses and other heavy passenger vehicles: 2.48 lakh

Taxis: 2 lakh

Light goods carriers: 1.2 lakh

Medium goods vehicles: 85,468

Articulated heavy goods vehicles: 30,450

Medium passenger buses: 14,764

The ITMS is operated by Proctech Solutions ITMS LLP, which earns Rs 654.90 per challan (including GST). The operator has already been paid Rs 57.94 crore for 8.84 lakh e-challans issued between July and December 2024.

The system includes:

40 gantries and hundreds of CCTV cameras

Speed detection cameras

Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR)

Weigh-in-motion sensors

Vehicle classification systems (AVCC)

Weather sensors and dynamic messaging systems

A central Command and Control Centre (CCC)

A traffic violation report is generated and verified by the operator’s staff before being approved by RTO officials.

Most overspeeding fines have been issued in the Khandala Ghat section, where the speed limit is 60 kmph for cars and 40 kmph for heavy vehicles. On other parts of the expressway, the limit is 100 kmph for small vehicles and 80 kmph for heavy ones.

Transporters argue the current limit in the ghat is too low, especially on the 10-km downward incline between Lonavala and Khalapur, making it difficult for heavy vehicles to maintain control and slowing traffic.

The state is considering raising the limit for heavy vehicles in the ghat to 45-50 kmph on the Pune-Mumbai arm.

Last month, transporters went on strike against what they called “rampant” e-challaning, but withdrew after the state government set up a panel to review the issue. Industry bodies say the volume of fines is hurting the transport sector and have urged the government to address the concerns quickly.