Hyderabad: Confusion prevailed on the first day when the Road Transport Authority went online on Tuesday.
A large number of people thronged these offices only to be sent back by the officials to first book slots online.
Officials asked them to book a slot online from any Mee Seva centres or from their personal computers and return at the allotted time. As a result Mee Seva centre were flooded with motorists seeking to book slots.
At the RTA itself, the first online day was marked by problems like hanging of server, fee not accepted for some services and the option of a few services not being available online. These problems were fixed by the afternoon.
“These are initial hiccups and the online system will stabilise as people get used to it gradually. Over 4,000 people availed online slots on the first day,” said joint transport commissioner T. Raghunath.
Thousands more returned from RTA offices as no time slots were given on the first day and officials said they may continue with the date slots for some more time for people to get used to online services.
The business of agents (brokers) was not affected as they started booking the slots from Mee Seva centres for their customers.
“My agent told me to come at noon as he had booked the slot a few days ago,” said Sheetal Sharma, who came to apply for a duplicate registration certificate.
Those who booked slots online were happy.
“The online booking allows us to schedule a break from offices and colleges and get our work done. The officials should also give time slots to make it more convenient,” said Mr A.K. Ojha, a degree final year student.
Some motorists who did not book slots entered into arguments with the officials stating enough publicity was not given for the move.
“Giving the information in newspapers and a few TV channels is not enough. The transport department could have sent SMSes on mobile phones of applicants and vehicle owners or licence holders,” said Mr Shafique Hussain, a student from First Lancer.
