Archive · 28 Aug 2026
Odisha Flags Over 20 Lakh Vehicles For Document Non-Compliance
Odisha is checking more than 20 lakh vehicles.
Officials say many may not have important papers up to date.
These papers include insurance, fitness certificates, permits, pollution certificates and tax documents.
Owners are being asked to fix their records or reply to official notices.
Vehicles that remain non-compliant could be moved into a permanent archive category.
The transport department says this is meant to protect owners and people using the roads.
Insurance can help pay for losses after an accident.
A road safety expert says officials should also explain the rules and risks clearly.
More than 20 lakh vehicles in Odisha are being scrutinised for missing or outdated mandatory documents.
The documents include insurance, fitness certificates, permits, pollution certificates and tax records.
Owners who do not regularise documents or answer show-cause notices could face further action.
Vehicles without insurance for over three years or fitness certificates for over two years are among those being reviewed.
The transport department says the drive aims to improve safety, while an expert called for stronger public awareness and digital tracking.
- Who
- The Odisha transport department, led by Transport Commissioner-cum-State Transport Authority chairperson Amitabh Thakur, and owners of more than 20 lakh vehicles.
- What
- A compliance review and show-cause process for vehicles lacking valid insurance, fitness certificates, permits, pollution certificates or tax documents.
- Where
- Odisha, particularly through the state transport department.
- Why
- To improve compliance and protect vehicle owners and road users, including by ensuring accident-related insurance protection.
Enforcement-focused view
Awareness-and-systems view
How to address non-compliance
Enforcement-focused view
The transport department says owners who fail to submit documents or respond to notices may face archival action.
Awareness-and-systems view
Road safety expert Subrat Nanda says enforcement should be accompanied by explanations of the consequences and risks of violations.
Purpose of the drive
Enforcement-focused view
Amitabh Thakur says the campaign is intended to protect vehicle owners and road users rather than generate revenue.
Awareness-and-systems view
Nanda supports the safety objective but stresses the need for a digital vehicle database tracking insurance, fitness, pollution certificates, tax and re-registration requirements.
- Vehicles under scrutiny
- More than 20 lakh vehicles
- Documents concerned
- Insurance, fitness certificates, permits, pollution certificates and tax documents
- Insurance review period
- Vehicles without insurance for more than three years
- Fitness review period
- Vehicles without fitness certificates for more than two years
- Vehicle-age concern
- Vehicles over 15 years old without required fitness certification
- Possible action
- Movement from the temporary archive to the Permanent Archive category
- Response required
- Owners must regularise documents or reply to show-cause notices within the stipulated period