Hyderabad: Road and vehicle users are largely happy with the Centre’s proposal to remodel the road transport system, although the proposal is meeting with staunch opposition from various states.
The proposal seeks cutting off the gamut of possible corruption points, while road users are all for a transparent and automated system. “I have had to pay three different agents for getting a driving licence and later on getting a registration for my two-wheeler, about four years ago. When I first went without the agent, I saw that people who come on their own are made to wait for long hours or asked to come later. Finally, I paid Rs 3,000 for my driving licence to the agent. The new proposal to make everything online will benefit everybody as there will be no scope for corruption,” said Sagar Arora.
While many states have already sent in their objections about the proposed changes like making the entire taxation system a centralised one, making licensing a centralised and automated system and changing the role of RTA authorities etc. The draft proposed to make the entire gamut of permits, taxes, fees, user charges and service charges a centralised affair.
The Bill is to be introduced this month and almost all states have opposed these points. However, some points are welcome. The proposed online system for submitting of applications, testing, inspections, fitness of vehicles etc., is a good move as it will cut out the multilayered involvement of agents and touts who demand huge money to get things done, said a senior RTA official.
The e-toll system that has been proposed will benefit the interstate movement of vehicles as it will result in one time online payment of toll and cut out the unnecessary delay for checking and collection at each toll booth.
The checking will be done automatically through electronic surveillance according to the plan. “This move will benefit transportation vehicles which sometimes have to stand for hours at certain interstate toll booths,” said Vishwas Reddy, representative of the Lorry and Truck Drivers Association.
