Kolkata set to get e-court to settle traffic offences from September 15

KOLKATA: The city is likely to get its first e-court for traffic offences on September 15.
Once it starts, motorists will have the option of paying traffic fines on the spot by swiping credit and debit cards, if they do not want to pay by cash. Calcutta High Court has designated the 4th Bankshall court as the e-court that will handle cases from four key traffic guards that cater to central Kolkata, and portions of north and south Kolkata. Howrah Bridge, Strand Road, Posta, Burrabazar, MG Road, Central Avenue, Shyampukur, Dalhousie, Esplanade, Babughat, Maidan and Exide areas will fall under the jurisdiction.
The introduction of e-court is expected to usher in multiple reforms in traffic prosecutions. "We are going to issue a detailed SOP at the earliest," said joint CP (traffic) Santosh Pandey who has been steering the project in the city for the past several months.
Apart from paying fines online, sergeants can seize all vehicle-related documents in both online and offline modes. "Under the online process, motorists do not have to the make the rounds of traffic guards and police stations to reclaim the documents," an officer said.
One of the issues that is still a concern is connectivity. Police said developers were working on it and the process had improved. "The process of rectification and betterment will continue even after the launch of the e-court," said an officer.
"We have been testing this online process since August. We plan to extend this facility to a couple of other guards as well by the end of the festive season," said a Lalbazar officer. The East guard-that looks after one of the biggest areas in the city-and the Southeast are next in line. The Kolkata Traffic Police will introduce the online facility across all guards in phases.