'56% Indian Vehicles Uninsured': Supreme Court Calls For 'Challans', Urgent Enforcement Action

More than half of India’s vehicles are currently uninsured, raising serious concerns flagged by the Supreme Court. During a recent hearing, the court was informed that nearly 56 percent of registered vehicles, around 16.5 crore out of 30.4 crore, do not have valid insurance. Calling this a major violation of Section 146 of the Motor Vehicles Act, the court stressed that third-party insurance is mandatory for all vehicles.To address this large-scale non-compliance, the Supreme Court has directed strict enforcement measures. Authorities have been asked to identify uninsured vehicles and issue challans without delay. The court has also pushed for technology-driven enforcement, directing the integration of Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras with databases like the Insurance Information Bureau and the VAHAN portal. This will enable automatic detection of uninsured vehicles and real-time issuance of e-challans.Additionally, the court has proposed a pilot project where fuel supply could be linked to valid insurance status, in consultation with IRDAI and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. State traffic police are also expected to use handheld devices or mobile apps to instantly verify insurance details on the ground, ensuring stricter and more consistent enforcement.