Pay Pending Traffic Fines, Get 20% Concession: Maharashtra Cabinet Clears Amnesty Scheme

Mumbai, 5th November 2026: The Maharashtra Cabinet on Thursday approved the implementation of the Maharashtra Traffic Police Challan Abhay Yojana-2026, an amnesty scheme offering a one-time concession of up to 20% on pending traffic fines to encourage motorists to clear their dues and promote compliance with traffic rules.

The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The scheme will be implemented in phases, with different concession periods for pending and newly issued e-challans.

Under the first phase, a one-time concession of up to 20% will be offered on pending compoundable traffic challans issued between January 21, 2026, and October 31, 2026. Motorists will be given 30 days to avail themselves of the concession.

Additionally, challans issued from November 1, 2026, onwards will be eligible for a 20% early payment concession if the fine is paid within 45 days of the challan being issued. This early bird concession will remain available for one year.

In the third phase, a concession of up to 20% will be extended to pending compoundable fines for challans issued between January 30, 2019, and January 20, 2026, where recovery proceedings have already been initiated through courts. The concession will be available for 30 days.

Under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, fines are imposed on vehicle owners and drivers for violating traffic rules. Maharashtra introduced the ‘One State, One Challan’ system on January 30, 2019, to streamline the issuance and recovery of traffic fines through e-challans. Under the system, motorists receive details of traffic violations and the corresponding fines on their mobile phones.

However, despite various measures undertaken by the traffic police to recover pending fines, the response from motorists has remained relatively low. The state government has therefore decided to introduce the concession scheme, following similar initiatives adopted by other states, to improve fine recovery and encourage motorists to follow traffic regulations.

The Cabinet also decided that stricter action would be initiated against vehicles repeatedly violating traffic rules after the concession scheme expires. Such action may include suspension of driving licences, restrictions on vehicle-related transactions and seizure of vehicles, in accordance with Rule 21 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, and directions of the Supreme Court.

The Cabinet approved the issuance of a notification to formally implement the scheme.