Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on Tuesday inaugurated the electronic challan system for booking on the spot traffic violation cases and solar-powered portable traffic signal system in the city.

At a brief function at the Anna Salai police station, she distributed hand-held devices (computers), forming part of the e-challan system, to seven traffic police officers.

The Rs.2.83 crore e-challan system project will enable flow of data from the devices to the central server at the Traffic Control Room, Egmore. The devices have built-in printer facility. Three hundred devices will be used initially. In the next phase, payment through credit cards will be allowed.

An official release also stated that the cost of the solar-powered portable traffic signal system project is Rs.26 lakh. The city will have 20 such equipment.

Ms. Jayalalithaa also gave away rewards of Rs.2.5 lakh to six police personnel for their achievements at national-level sports events.

Recording her views in the visitors' register of the police station, she expressed happiness over the launch of the two systems.

“This technology-driven initiative of the Chennai City Police will go a long way towards better enforcement of traffic rules. The utility of these systems depends on the persons who handle them. The police, as law enforcement agents, should always strive to fulfil the aspirations of people by serving them effectively. The police are the symbols of authority. Therefore, your priority should be maintenance of law and order with a humane approach to the people whom you serve.”