Pune: Pune Regional Transport Office (RTO) is facing staff crunch for past few months. This has created problems for the applicants visiting the office to give test for learner’s licence, permanent licence or to get the fitness certificate at Dive. This office issues licences to heavy vehicles, starting from tempo onwards. Interestingly, the licence test and to fitness certificate has crossed two months of waiting period.
According to a official of RTO, “The learner’s licence test has crossed two months of waiting period and same is the case with the permanent licence. For the heavy vehicle fitness certificate the waiting has crossed more than two months of the waiting period. This is happening due to shortage of staff and inspectors as well.”
There are more than 38 lakh vehicles on the roads. The vehicle owners flock to the RTO for vehicle brake test, registration, renewal of licence, certificates and other works.
Similarly, there are 1.80 lakh heavy vehicles in the city. It is mandatory for theses vehicles to get fitness certificate every year. Around 660 vehicles are expected to get fitness certificate every day. But, due to shortage of vehicle inspectors in RTO, only 300-350 vehicles are passing through the fitness test. As a result around 12,000 vehicles are in waiting to get certificate.
“I applied for learner’s licence test a month ago through online. I have received appointment for the test which is schedule in January. Waiting time is nearly two months and I am not able to drive my scooter. I have to wait till January to start driving,” said Sachin Jadhav.
Vinayak Pote, a tempo driver, is not doing any business from past one month as his vehicle is waiting for his vehicle to pass the fitness certificate. He said, “Now a days, I am jobless. I have my own tempo and waiting for fitness certificate. I don’t know how much time I have to wait.”
Three months ago, after a Bombay High Court order, the transport department suspended 37 RTO inspectors. Out of this, 17 were from Pune. Apparently, 59 vehicle inspectors’ post were sanctioned, but only 29 were filled. There are 79 posts are vacant out of 85 sanctioned post of assistant inspectors.
“We are facing of shortage of staff including vehicle inspectors. The waiting has crossed the two months period. We are helpless, but we are trying to solve the issue with our limited staff,” said BI Ajri, RTO.