Transport minister promises to bust tout-raj at city RTOs

Jolted by the Hindustan Times campaign on how touts ruled the roost at 13 regional transport offices (RTOs) in the Capital, Delhi transport minister Arvinder Singh announced a string of measures to improve the functioning of these offices.

Jolted by the Hindustan Times campaign on how touts ruled the roost at 13 regional transport offices (RTOs) in the Capital, Delhi transport minister Arvinder Singh announced a string of measures to improve the functioning of these offices.

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More than 1,500 people apply for a learner's licence and permanent driving licence at transport department's regional offices every day. Taking advantage of the gullible applicants, who often dread waiting in long queues and taking mandatory tests, the touts offer to get their licence made for just Rs. 2,000.

Singh on Wednesday promised to make RTOs a 'tout-free zone'. "Our enforcement teams will ensure that no touts operate there. I will also make surprise checks at all the RTOs," Singh said.

According to the minister, the transport department has taken a number of measures in the past couple of years to streamline the functioning of the transport authority offices and make the system transparent.

"The applicants can now go to any RTO irrespective of their place of residence by taking prior appointment online and apply for the learner's licence. The list of documents they need to carry with them has also been given online. The applicants just have to go to the counter at the RTO and deposit the form and submit his biometrics. If the applicant clears the computer test, which tests their basic knowledge about traffic rules, the learner's licence is issued to them," Singh said.

Since a large number of applicants do not have internet access and may also face problem filling up the application forms, the transport department is now going to introduce a helpdesk at each RTO.

Singh added that the transport department would soon authorise driver's training institutes — Institute of Driving and Traffic Research at Loni and Sarai Kale Khan and Driving Training Institute (DTI), Burari — to issue learner's licence.

"If you don't have a valid Delhi address you cannot get a licence in Delhi. Even touts cannot help you. Delhiites must avoid seeking help from such people and apply for the licence through proper channel instead," said Singh.

Noida officials plan crack down

Noida: A day after HT exposed the nexus between touts and transport department officials at RTOs, senior police and transport department officials in Noida met on Wednesday to discuss ways to crack down against such elements. “We will throw all touts out of our offices," said Jai Shankar Tiwari, transport official. The officials decided to start “surprise action” against the touts active at RTOs. HTC