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

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

How the system works

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.

Controversy over Khandala Ghat speed limits

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.

Transporters push back

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.