Sikkim Issues SOPs to Regulate AI-Generated E-Challans Amid Public Outcry

GANGTOK: In response to mounting public outrage and widespread criticism on social media over the issuance of allegedly false and unjustified e-challans through an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered system, the Sikkim Transport Department on Saturday issued a set of standard operating procedures (SOPs) aimed at regulating the issuance of e-challans.

Local drivers and vehicle owners raised serious concerns over the issuance of false and unjustified e-challans. Many accused the AI-driven system of lacking accuracy and transparency, leading to undue penalties.

According to the office order released by the department, effective April 10, no e-challan shall be autogenerated immediately in cases involving "document failure-based violations."

Instead, the system will first conduct multiple rounds of auto-verification with the National Informatics Centre (NIC) database. If any vehicle document is found expired or unavailable, the vehicle owner in Sikkim will receive a prior alert via SMS or WhatsApp.

The SOPs provide a 10-day window for owners to update their documents on the online VAHAN portal if valid records exist. Only upon failure to do so within the stipulated period will the system generate a formal e-challan.

In a significant step to restore public trust, the department also announced that any e-challan proven to be falsely generated by the AI cameras will be cancelled, and the vehicle owner will be compensated with double the penalty amount previously imposed.

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