Bihar’s Transport Department has directed vehicle owners to remove caste-related words, stickers, and phrases from their vehicles within one month or face fines of up to Rs 2,000.
The department has set the first week of June as the deadline for voluntary compliance. After the grace period ends, traffic police will begin a state-wide enforcement drive with intensified vehicle checks.
Officials said violators could be fined Rs 500 under Section 177 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, and up to Rs 2,000 under Section 179.
District Transport Officers across Bihar have been instructed to implement the order and ensure compliance in their respective areas.
The move targets the widespread practice of displaying caste identifiers such as Brahmin, Kshatriya, and Yadav on vehicles. The Transport Department said the measure is part of efforts to discourage caste-based displays on public roads.
At the same time, Bihar is also rolling out a large-scale AI-powered traffic monitoring system across the state.
The state cabinet has approved the installation of an Intelligent Traffic Management System at 500 to 700 major intersections and accident-prone areas. The system will initially be introduced in cities including Patna, Gaya, Bhagalpur, Muzaffarpur, and Darbhanga.
More than 1,000 AI-enabled cameras will be installed in the first phase. Officials said the cameras will use real-time video analytics to detect violations such as speeding, jumping red lights, wrong-side driving, and riding without helmets.
The system will also issue automated e-challans for traffic violations.
Authorities said the project may also include facial recognition technology to identify repeat offenders and assist law enforcement agencies in tracking individuals linked to criminal activities.
The Bihar government said 42 companies from India and abroad have shown interest in the project.