Nearly 48 Lakh Active Vehicles in Bengal Marked Non-Compliant in Vahan Database

Dipali Sen, MP, August 17, 2026, Kolkata: As many as 47,64,506 active vehicles in West Bengal have been classified as non-compliant in the Vahan database, accounting for 43.5 per cent of the state’s 1,09,56,181 active vehicles, according to data submitted by the Centre in the Lok Sabha.

The figures, as on July 24, show that Bengal has 61,91,675 Active-Compliant and 47,64,506 Active-Non-Compliant vehicles.

At 43.5 per cent, Bengal’s share of Active-Non-Compliant vehicles is lower than the national proportion of 62.5 per cent.

Across the country, 15,40,43,171 of 24,63,58,891 active vehicles have been classified as non-compliant.

The classification is part of the vehicle classification framework used in the Vahan system to address shortcomings in the database, including cases where vehicles continue to be shown as active despite having expired fitness certificates or other compliance-related records.

The framework divides vehicles into four categories — Active-Compliant, Active-Non-Compliant, Temporary Archive and Permanent Archive — without altering the existing registration flags.

It is intended to provide a clearer picture of the operational and compliance status of vehicles and improve enforcement, compliance monitoring and transport planning.

Under the system, owners of Active-Non-Compliant and Temporary Archive vehicles are to receive digital notifications at 15-day intervals for 45 days, followed by monthly notifications.

If corrective action is not taken within the prescribed period, details of such vehicles can be shared with enforcement agencies for action under the Motor Vehicles Act.

Owners have to ensure that valid insurance, Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC) and, wherever applicable, a fitness certificate are reflected in the Vahan database.

Once the required records are updated, an Active-Non-Compliant vehicle can be reclassified as Active-Compliant.

If no action is taken for one year, an Active-Non-Compliant vehicle will move to the temporary archive.

If it remains there without corrective action for another two years, it can subsequently move to the permanent archive.

Vehicles in the temporary archive can be reactivated through the Vahan portal by submitting valid insurance, fitness and PUCC documents, wherever applicable.

Permanent Archive vehicles can be restored only in exceptional circumstances.