Mobile RTO van comes to a halt

Vehicle, launched to issue licences and various permits on the move, faces system failure, abandons journey halfway

Mobile RTO van comes to a halt

Vehicle, launched to issue licences and various permits on the move, faces system failure, abandons journey halfway

The newly-introduced mobile bus by the Regional Transport Office (RTO) had to abandon its scheduled journey halfway at Kothrud, yesterday, owing to a system failure, which rendered the five-odd computers on board inoperable. It returned to the RTO head office near Sangam Bridge.

However, people waiting at the designated spot were duly informed by the RTO inspectors and were not left in the lurch. "We had taken due care to ensure that they do not waste their time standing in the sun," an RTO official said.

MiD DAY had reported on March 10, ('Unfit PMPML bus is RTO's mobile office'), about the 15-year-old bus bus, which was earlier used by the Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal and then dumped on the RTO. The bus was not even roadworthy and RTO officials themselves failed to produce even basic documents like registration certificate, tax certificate and Pollution Under Control certificate when asked by MiD DAY.

Officials who take care of the various computer systems, said, a virus had affected the operability of the computers. The machines refused to start because of which the driver then had to turn course and return to base for rectification of the problem. The bus was on its way to Shivaji Chowk in Kothrud from Market Yard around 2.30 pm, when the failure occurred.u00a0

The mobile centre is expected to visit 10 areas in the city per week and issue permanent and learners' licences and various permits such as payment of taxes like the environment, road and vehicle tax. The provision was also introduced with a view to reduce to the daily workload at the main office where thousands of people come every day to get their vehicle-related paperwork done. The bus will have a team of eight officials, two officers, two clerks and four other staff members.u00a0 The service has issued about 300 learning and permanent license till date, since its inception.

Regional Transport Officer Chandrakant Kharatmal refused to comment on the issue saying he was busy. Deputy Regional Transport Officer Laxman Darade could not be reached for comment despite repeated attempts.

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