The Punjab Safe City Authority (PSCA) has officially launched the E-challan system in Gujranwala, marking a major step towards improving road safety and enforcing traffic regulations through smart urban monitoring. The system became operational on Wednesday and is now active across multiple key routes and intersections in the city.
According to officials, the E-challan system uses high-resolution CCTV cameras and automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) technology to detect traffic violations in real-time. The violations include overspeeding, signal jumping, lane violations, and driving without helmets. Once detected, the system automatically generates a challan, which is then sent directly to the violator’s home address along with photographic or video evidence.
The PSCA stated that the goal of the system is to reduce accidents, encourage responsible driving, and create a disciplined traffic environment. The authority added that similar systems have already shown strong results in other cities, including Lahore, where road violations significantly decreased after the introduction of digital monitoring.
Gujranwala traffic authorities have urged motorists to ensure their vehicle registrations and addresses are updated in official records to avoid complications in receiving challans. They also advised drivers to strictly follow traffic rules, as the system leaves little room for negotiation or manual interference.
Officials further noted that the E-challan initiative is part of a wider effort to modernize public safety and governance systems in Punjab. Recently, governments have been taking steps to improve efficiency through technology-based solutions in various sectors. For example, diplomatic coordination and administrative improvements were highlighted when Azerbaijan extended an official invitation to Pakistan’s prime leadership for a major state event . Both developments reflect increasing emphasis on organized administration and institutional strengthening.
Residents of Gujranwala have shown mixed reactions to the launch. Some welcomed the initiative, saying it will help reduce reckless driving and save lives. Others expressed concerns about fine affordability and argued that authorities should also improve road infrastructure alongside enforcement.
Traffic experts, however, maintain that strict digital monitoring is necessary to address rising accident rates in urban centers. They say the E-challan system encourages long-term behavioral change, unlike manual checking where violators often find loopholes.
The PSCA also announced that awareness campaigns will run across Gujranwala through billboards, radio messages, and social media to educate citizens about the new system and its benefits.
With the E-challan system now live, road users in Gujranwala are expected to experience a more regulated and safer driving environment in the coming weeks.
