Telangana: RTA offices are further away

Hyderabad: The reorganisation of districts has increased the distance between motorists and their RTA offices. Those from Malkajgiri for instance, have to go to Medchal RTA office, which is about 15 km away, instead of Uppal that is 7 km away. In all, 874 online slots booked to obtain learners’ licence and 208 for driving licences have been shifted from their original RTA office to new districts. Nearly 320 slots booked for registration of vehicles have also been shifted.

“Transport department officials have to retain the same RTA jurisdictions, set up new RTA or its unit offices in every mandal headquarters of a new district. Malkajgiri is a mandal falling under Medchal district and there should be a RTA office in Malkajgiri also,” said Mr Sai Prakash, a motorist whose slot was shifted from Uppal to Medchal. Motorists from Ghatkesar said they have to come all the way to Uppal, 15 km away, to register vehicles. People from several parts of Amangal mandal which was in Mahbubnagar district have to go to Shadnagar RTA office.

“When all services are  being offered online, why can’t the RTA introduce anywhere-registration,” said Ms Shanti Sinha, a software employee. Joint transport commissioner B. Venkateshwarlu said there are some teething problems due to jurisdictional changes. “Anywhere registration is a good suggestion but a policy decision has to be taken by the government on the matter,” he said. The RTA would send a proposal to the government on the idea, he said.