After taking awareness classes for rules violators online, the Metropolitan Traffic Police Division has launched a virtual system to accept traffic fines.

With the division office launching its online payment facility on Wednesday, motorists issued traffic tickets no longer need to stand in long queues, officials said.

“We took this decision by assessing the present scenario. This will save the citizens’ time and will also help traffic police become more transparent,” said Senior Superintendent Janak Bhattrai, chief of the division.

Traffic rule violators need to pay Rs500 to Rs1000 depending on the severity of the violation. According to the division, officials will now use the Traffic Violation Record System Software to keep track of tickets issued to violators for drunk driving, lane violations, traffic light disobedience, and others.

Traffic rule violators who want to pay their fines online need to enter the number on the ticket given by traffic police online. Those who can’t do online payment can still do so through the bank.

Traffic police signed an agreement with E-Sewa Phone Fonepay and Nepal Clearance House Limited (Connect IPS) representatives to implement the online payment system.

Roshan Lamichhane, chief operating officer at eSewa said that his company will work as a bridge between the government and the people.

“Based on our agreement, the money will directly go to the government’s account through our online payment system,” said Lamichhane.

The division announced in October that it will gradually do away with paperwork and roll out digital services.

“We have adopted this system to make our work more efficient and also reduce the risk of transmission of Covid-19,” said Superintendent Shyam Adhikari, spokesperson for the division.

In December last year, the division office introduced online classes for rule violators instead of asking them to attend in-person classes on the premises of the division office. The move was welcomed by the public, questions were raised about issues members of the public without an android phone would face. But the office said it has now made arrangements to address the needs of such people as well.

Members of the general public said they welcome the decision and called for its effective implementation. “At a time when everything in the world is taking place online, the traffic police’s decision to allow fines to be paid online is certainly welcome,” said Biraj Bhattarai, a resident of Kuleshwor.

“I read about the new system in the news. But I am yet to see how effectively it is going to be implemented,” said Bhattarai, a motorcyclist.