The head department will remove the photo-based complaints feature from the traffic app after misuse | Mumbai news

Mumbai: The Maharashtra Home Department has decided to disable the feature that allows users to upload photos of traffic violations on MahaTrafficApp. The move follows an increase in complaints about the misuse of the feature, leading to unverified traffic calls.

Currently, citizens can upload images of violations such as illegal parking and other traffic violations through the app. However, complaints show that the traffic police often issue citations based solely on these photos without checking them on the spot as required.

Some police officers allegedly used their personal phones to capture images with manipulative intent, forcing motorists to comply or pay, officials said. “In the past we have instructed road services not to process calls based on unverified images or those not taken using official handheld devices. Despite this, the images sent through the app continue to be used to release pranks, sometimes to meet profit targets,” a home ministry official said.

Additional concerns have been raised about traffic officers using the feature to settle personal disputes, such as residential parking disputes.

In response to these complaints, the department last year formed a committee to investigate and recommend solutions. Based on the committee’s findings, a decision was made to remove the photo upload function. The move aims to curb misuse of the app and ensure fairer enforcement of traffic laws.