35,470 vehicles owners wait three months for RCs

More than 35,000 vehicle owners are waiting for their registration certificates (RCs) – even after paying for it – as the service provider, whose contract was terminated in November last year, has not yet cleared pending applications.

More than 35,000 vehicle owners are waiting for their registration certificates (RCs) – even after paying for it – as the service provider, whose contract was terminated in November last year, has not yet cleared pending applications.

The Andheri RTO has the most number of pending RCs – 23,182 of the 35,470. At the Wadala RTO, 6,578 RCs need to be processed, while 5,710 are pending at the Tardeo RTO.

The RCs – in the form of smart cards – is proof of the vehicle being registered at the regional transport office (RTO). According to the contract with the government, the service provider should issue smart card RCs to vehicle owners within four days, but many owners have been waiting for more than three months.

The transport department terminated the contract with Shonkh Technologies International Ltd, the service provider, in November, but made it binding on the company to process all applications for which it had taken fees. Vehicle owners have paid Rs394 each for their applications to be processed.
However, the service provider had challenged the transport department’s decision to terminate the contract. The matter is sub-judice in the Supreme Court.

“Several people have not received their RCs even after three months. Apart from queries over email and telephone, they are now enquiring in person. We have to face their anger,” said a senior RTO official, requesting anonymity.
The RTOs have written to the transport commissioner’s office. Prasad Mahajan, joint transport commissioner said they were trying to resolve the issue.

“We have already written a letter to the service provider,” he said.