LAHORE: Punjab Police is planning to introduce 50 advanced surveillance vans to identify vehicles with unpaid e-challans and track wanted individuals across the province.
The proposed vehicles, known as Police Eye Smart Vans, will be equipped with modern cameras and connected to the Punjab Safe Cities Authority’s monitoring system.
Police officials have requested more than Rs500 million from the provincial government to purchase and equip the vehicles.
Each van is expected to cost approximately Rs11 million, including its surveillance equipment and other accessories.
The proposal has been reviewed by the Home Department, which previously raised objections. Police officials say the concerns have been addressed and the case has been resubmitted for government approval.
The project aims to strengthen traffic enforcement, improve surveillance and help police identify individuals wanted in criminal cases.
Under the proposed system, each Police Eye Smart Van will feature cameras providing 360-degree coverage. The equipment is designed to monitor vehicles and individuals within an approximate range of 100 metres.
The technology will help identify vehicles associated with outstanding traffic fines and alert police when wanted individuals are detected.
Once connected to the Safe Cities monitoring network, the vans will be able to share information with central surveillance facilities.
This integration is expected to generate alerts when the system identifies a vehicle or individual flagged in relevant databases.
The proposed technology will also assist authorities in identifying overloaded vehicles and monitoring traffic conditions on busy roads.
Police officials believe the mobile surveillance system will reduce reliance on manual roadside checks and improve the speed of enforcement operations.
Punjab Police is also planning to use electric vehicles for the project. The move is intended to reduce fuel consumption and lower operating expenses associated with regular patrol activities.
Additional Inspector General Logistics Fawaduddin Qureshi is supervising preparations for the proposed vehicles.
After government approval, the department plans to distribute the vans among districts across Punjab. Each district could receive between one and three vehicles, depending on the final deployment plan.
Lahore is expected to have a separate monitoring arrangement focusing on designated model roads.
However, the authorities have not announced a final district-wise distribution or deployment date.
The proposed Police Eye system could increase the detection of vehicles with unpaid e-challans once it becomes operational.
Motorists may therefore face closer monitoring on major roads and public routes. Drivers should ensure their vehicle registration details are correct and check any outstanding traffic fines through official channels.
The existing Punjab e-challan system allows motorists to check outstanding fines through the official Safe City payment portal.
The smart van project is part of Punjab Police’s wider efforts to introduce technology into traffic management and law enforcement.
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For now, the purchase of the 50 vehicles remains subject to government approval. Further details about procurement, funding and deployment are expected after the provincial government reviews the proposal.
