Tripura Collected Rs. 35 Crore Through Traffic Challans, Transport Minister Says Road Accidents Down by 13%, Calls for Greater Public Awareness
By Our Correspondent
Agartala, July 14, 2026
The Tripura Government has collected nearly Rs.35 crore in revenue through traffic challans, Transport Minister Sushanta Chowdhury announced while inaugurating a two-day road safety workshop in Agartala on Tuesday. Stressing that the government's primary objective is not revenue generation but saving lives, the Minister said road accidents in the state have declined by 13%, attributing the improvement to stricter enforcement of traffic regulations and sustained awareness campaigns.
Addressing the gathering, Chowdhury urged every citizen to strictly follow traffic rules while driving motorcycles, scooters, cars and other vehicles. He emphasized that wearing helmets and seat belts, carrying valid vehicle documents and obeying traffic regulations can significantly reduce fatalities and the severity of injuries in road accidents.
"The responsibility of ensuring road safety does not lie with the government alone. Every road user must act responsibly. If traffic rules are followed sincerely, many accidents can be prevented and lives can be saved," the Minister said. He also appreciated the efforts of the Transport and Traffic Departments, as well as the Central and State Governments, in promoting road safety.
The announcement, however, triggered a wide range of public reactions on social media. While many welcomed the government's emphasis on road safety, others questioned whether traffic fines were becoming a source of revenue rather than a tool for ensuring compliance.
Several citizens argued that the government should intensify public awareness campaigns instead of relying heavily on penalties. They urged the authorities to educate motorists through sustained outreach programmes, saying that awareness would have a more lasting impact than fines alone.
Many commuters also highlighted the poor condition of roads across the state, particularly the Kamalpur-Khowai-Agartala–Teliamura highway and several rural roads, including stretches in Karbook, Nutan Bazar and Chellagang, describing them as hazardous and accident-prone. They appealed to the government to prioritise road repairs, pointing out that motorists already pay road taxes and deserve safer infrastructure.
Auto-rickshaw drivers also expressed concern over increasing surveillance and penalties. Some claimed that frequent fines based on camera surveillance have made it difficult for them to operate in Agartala, with several alleging that they pay Rs.5,000 to Rs. 6,000 in penalties every month, affecting their livelihoods.
Some members of the public suggested that money collected through traffic challans should be utilised for public welfare, including financial assistance to patients suffering from critical road accidents illnesses, while others questioned whether all traffic-related collections are fully reflected in official figures.
There were also calls for law enforcement agencies to focus equally on tackling crimes such as motorcycle theft and street robbery, with some questioning why CCTV systems capable of identifying traffic violations are not being used more effectively to detect criminals.
At the same time, several citizens supported the Minister's emphasis on road safety, agreeing that stricter compliance with the Motor Vehicles Act, proper documentation, and compulsory use of helmets and seat belts are essential to reducing road fatalities.
The debate reflects the broader challenge facing the governmentbalancing strict enforcement of traffic laws with public awareness, better road infrastructure, transparent enforcement practices, and citizen-friendly policing. While the reported decline in accidents is being viewed as a positive development, many believe that long-term improvements in road safety will require a combination of education, improved infrastructure, and fair implementation of traffic regulations rather than dependence on financial penalties alone.
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