Hyderabad: RTA services screech to a halt

Hyderabad: The issuance of learning and permanent licences at RTA offices in the city came to a grinding halt here on Tuesday. Thousands of applicants had to return home disappointed and now have to reapply for slots.

The decision comes in the wake of the Supreme Court directive that no BS-IV vehicle will be sold or registered from April 1, 2020. In the current situation, any unsold BS-IV vehicle would end up as scrap after March 31.

M Dayanand, the general secretary of Telangana Auto Motors' Welfare Association said, "It came as a rude shock when the officials at Uppal RTA refused to process the permanent licence. The authorities should have made it public by issuing a release. Hundreds had to return."

On an average, each of the 11 RTAs in Greater Hyderabad region receives 400 learning licence applications. This is going to affect a lot of people. Nitin, a resident of Gunrock said, "Learning licence expires after a month, one would have to apply all over again. Will the department pay of will it allow people to get the renewal without paying the penalty?"

V Srinivas Reddy, Regional Transport Officer, RTA, North Zone, Trimulgherry says, "The services are put on hold due to technical issues and would be restored soon."

The common man also fears that other applications too may not be processed. For instance, if the fitness test is not completed, the owner has to pay 200% penalty.

"Motor vehicle inspectors are on a raiding spree. There are hundreds of vehicles lined up for fitness in the next few days. How can one move the vehicles? The government should open more counters and not put the common man to inconvenience" is a common refrain of people who have urgent need for RTA services in the city.