From July 27, avail transport services online in Himachal

Subhash Rajta

Tribune News Service

Shimla, July 23

The state Transport Department is going hundred per cent online. Come July 27, the department will start providing all its services to people at the click of the mouse. Be it the grant or renewal of permits, registration of vehicles, vehicle model approval, or issues related to taxation etc., people will be able to do it from the comfort of their homes. “We will run a pilot project from July 27 in two districts — Shimla and Kangra — for 15 to 20 days to find and fix any loopholes.

Once everything is streamlined, anyone can access the website and avail of the services without visiting any transport office,” said Capt JM Pathania, Director Transport. “I am glad we will the first Transport Department in the country to have all our facilities online”.

Pilot project to be run in 2 districts

We will run a pilot project from July 27 in two districts — Shimla and Kangra — for 15 to 20 days to find and fix any loopholes. Once everything is streamlined, anyone can access the website and avail of the services without visiting any transport office. I am glad we will the first Transport Department in the country to have all our facilities online. —Capt JM Pathania, Director Transport

The idea behind the project, which had been in the works for more than a year now, was to spare people multiple visits to transports offices. “People had to visit different transport offices to get their work done. It involved a lot of effort, time and money. So, we thought if banks and passport offices handling far more sensitive information could go online, why can’t we. After more than a year of hard work, innumerable meetings, and studying several online systems, we are ready to make the transport office footfall free,” said Pathania.

And to ensure accountability and promptness in delivery, all services would be time-bound. “The service will be deemed approved if an official concerned doesn’t deliver it within the fixed time frame. And he will be held accountable if the approval given so is found wrong,” said Pathania, adding that it will cut down discretionary powers of officials and the possibility of corrupt practices. Besides, the users would be able to constantly track their applications, and would continually get messages and notifications.

The department has made provisions for those not so tech savvy. It will run a call centre for a year from where people could enquire about the services and how they could be availed. “We have tried to empower our customers through this initiative. We will have user manuals and customer guides to help people navigate through the website. Also, people could go to Lok Mitra Kendras and RTO offices where data operators will help them avail of the services,” he said.

Once the website becomes operation, all people would need to visit transport offices would be for the driving licence test and clearance of vehicles.

“Even here, the website will make things easier for them. They can choose slots online when they want to come in, and not waste the whole day waiting for their turn,” said Pathania.

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