Hyderabad: In a major move towards digital governance and enforcement of traffic regulations, the Telangana Government has officially authorized the delivery of vehicle challans through SMS, WhatsApp, and email. The decision has been taken under Rule 167 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR), 1989, following amendments issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
The Transport, Roads & Buildings Department issued G.O.Ms.No.25 dated June 1, 2026, enabling electronic communication as a legally recognized method for serving traffic challans to vehicle owners across the state.
Electronic Challans Now Legally Valid
According to the notification, traffic challans issued under Rule 167 can now be served through:
- SMS (Short Messaging Service)
The government stated that electronic delivery will be treated as a valid mode of communication for notifying vehicle owners about traffic violations and penalties.
This move is expected to improve compliance, reduce delays in communication, and strengthen the state’s digital traffic enforcement system.
Vehicle Owners Must Update Mobile Number and Email
As part of the new system, all vehicle owners have been directed to update their mobile number and email address on the VAHAN portal.
The government has provided a one-month window from the date of publication of the notification for vehicle owners to ensure that their contact details are accurate and updated.
Officials said updated contact information will help ensure that challans reach vehicle owners without delay and prevent disputes regarding non-receipt of notices.
Challans Will Be Considered Served
The notification clearly states that once the one-month period expires, any challan sent through SMS, WhatsApp, or email to the contact details registered on the VAHAN database will be considered as officially served to the vehicle owner.
This means vehicle owners will be responsible for regularly checking messages and emails linked to their registered vehicles.
Authorities noted that failure to read or acknowledge a digital challan will not be considered a valid reason for non-compliance if the message has been sent to the registered contact information.
Part of Digital Governance Initiative
The decision aligns with the Central Government’s push toward digital governance and paperless administration. By adopting electronic communication methods, the Transport Department aims to reduce paperwork, speed up enforcement processes, and improve the efficiency of traffic violation management.
Officials believe the move will also help reduce administrative costs associated with printing and physically delivering challan notices.
What Vehicle Owners Should Do
Transport officials have advised vehicle owners to:
- Verify mobile numbers linked to their vehicles
- Update email addresses on the VAHAN portal
- Check contact details for accuracy
- Monitor SMS, WhatsApp, and email communications regularly
- Pay pending challans within the stipulated period
Authorities have urged citizens not to ignore digital notifications, as electronically delivered challans will carry the same legal validity as traditional notices.
Statewide Implementation
The notification has been circulated to transport authorities, district collectors, police departments, and registration authorities across Telangana for implementation.
With this step, Telangana joins a growing number of states adopting digital communication channels to improve traffic enforcement, road safety compliance, and citizen services.
