Maharashtra RTOs abruptly stop vehicle registration and fitness renewal

All the officials are tight-lipped about the reason for stopping the work, though some RTO sources said probably HC directive was the reason behind it

Without either an agitation by staffers or a directive from higher authorities, registration of new vehicles was abruptly stopped at all the regional transport offices (RTO) across the state, along with renewal of fitness certificates for vehicles on Wednesday.

RTO sources said the work has been stopped in wake of the Bombay high court directive for the state government on Monday, even though no official directive has been issued by the transport commissioner’s office.

While hearing a PIL filed by Pune-based social activist Shrikant Karve, the HC warned the state government to follow its earlier order and construct a 250-metre road track at all RTOs in the state to test four-wheelers for issuance of fitness certificates or face contempt action.

All the officials are tight-lipped about the reason for stopping the work, though some RTO sources said probably HC directive was the reason behind it. When HT tried to contact transport commissioner Pravin Gedam on the issue, he said he was in the high court.

An RTO source requesting anonymity said the work of new vehicle registration has been stopped at his office since Wednesday morning. “No registration of new vehicles is taking place and even work of issuing fitness certificates to old vehicles has stopped,” said the official.

Daily thousands of vehicles approach RTO offices across the state for renewal of fitness that certifies that the vehicle is roadworthy.