Cuttack, July 9: The Odisha Transport Department has decided to crack down on commercial vehicles repeatedly operating without valid Fitness Certificates (FC), introducing stricter enforcement measures against habitual violators.

Moving beyond the practice of issuing e-challans, the department has directed enforcement officials to seize such vehicles, suspend or cancel their Registration Certificates (RC), and initiate proceedings for cancellation of permits in cases of repeated violations.

The Transport Commissioner has issued the directive to all Regional Transport Officers (RTOs), Additional RTOs and Deputy Transport Commissioners after analysing data from the state's e-detection portal.

According to the analysis, conducted for the period between April 1 and June 30, as many as 43,696 e-challans were issued to 11,401 commercial vehicles found operating without valid Fitness Certificates. The data showed that 6,635 vehicles were detected violating the rule more than once, while 2,191 vehicles were caught at least five times. Another 960 vehicles were found violating the norm more than 10 times, 359 vehicles over 20 times and 37 vehicles more than 50 times, highlighting persistent non-compliance despite repeated penalties.

Bandal (Old Manguli) Toll Plaza recorded the highest number of violations with 5,281 cases, followed by Pipili Toll Plaza (4,816) and Seragarh Toll Plaza (3,769). Other major violation hotspots included Gudipada-Gangapada (2,807), Sambalpur-Bargarh (2,338), Bhagabada-Narayanpur (2,141), Kandra (1,629), Gurapali (1,579), Karapada (1,523) and Darjing Toll Plaza (1,502).

Under the revised enforcement strategy, authorities have been asked to complete action against vehicles detected 10 or more times within seven days. Cases involving five to nine violations must be disposed of within 15 days, while action against vehicles caught two to four times should be completed within 30 days.

During inspections, enforcement teams will verify Fitness Certificates along with permits, insurance and tax documents. Vehicles operating without a valid FC will be seized under Section 207 of the Motor Vehicles Act.

The department has also warned that owners of habitual offender vehicles could face suspension or cancellation of their Registration Certificates as well as cancellation of permits. All RTOs have been directed to submit fortnightly progress reports on the enforcement drive.