PUNE: The Pune Regional Transport Office (RTO) has earned Rs 74915.33 lakh from April to November 2018, said officials. The department performed well against odds such as a staff crunch.
However, applicants still struggle to get appointments for a learning licence, a fitness certificate and other such works.
Earlier, this year, the appointment was given on a priority basis to applicants for a learner’s licence, a permanent licence and a fitness certificate. However, the waiting list started increased steadily after August. The RTO claims that they are facing a staff crunch. Even the Registration Certificate (RC) for vehicles is still not reaching on time to owners at their address.
As per the data provided by the RTO, it has registered 1,85,601 vehicles from April to November this year. In all, 3,74,965 vehicles were registered in the region that includes Pune, Pimpri Chinchwad, Baramati, Solapur and Akluj.
The Pune RTO has registered 1,25,946 two-wheelers and 32,437 four-wheelers this year, so far. In Pimpri Chinchwad, 73,796 two-wheelers and 17,719 four-wheelers, in Baramati 14,407 two-wheelers and 2,300 four-wheelers, in Solapur 36,213 two-wheelers and 2,632 four-wheelers and in Akluj 13,580 two-wheelers and 1,262 four-wheelers were registered.
In terms of revenue, the Pune RTO has earned Rs 74,915.33 lakh and achieved 94.04 per cent of the target set by the transport department. Pimpri Chinchwad RTO earned Rs 40,706 lakh, Baramati RTO got Rs 6,111.33 lakh, Solapur RTO earned Rs 11,704 lakh and Akluj RTO generated Rs 3,334 lakh from April to November this year.
The RTO has curtailed the number of quotas for issuing licences to applicants. Since the online process was started last year, the RTO has been regularly increasing the quotas for applicants. It helps applicants to get licences easily. The RTO changed the categories for applications coming under the quotas for a smooth functioning of the process.
There are three centres under the RTO to provide a permanent licence to drivers, who take the test for a learner’s licence at Sangam Bridge office for two-wheelers while a permanent licence test is held at RTO, Alandi. For four-wheelers, a permanent licence test is conducted at the Institute of Driving Training and Research (ITDR), Bhosari. The waiting list for learning and permanent licences for four-wheelers is around two months and for two-wheelers, drivers have to wait for around a week.
Earlier, the applicants had to wait only for a day after the online process was initiated. However, the officials claimed they do not have enough staffers to conduct the tests.
There are over 38 lakh vehicles on the roads. Vehicle owners flock to the RTO for vehicle brake test, registration, renewal of licence, certificates and other work.
There are 1.80 lakh heavy vehicles in the city. It is mandatory for these vehicles to get a fitness certificate every year. Around 660 vehicles are expected to get a fitness certificate every day. But due to shortage of vehicle inspectors in the RTO, only 300-350 vehicles are passing the fitness test. As a result, around 12,000 vehicles are waiting to get the fitness certificate.
