MANSI BHAMBRI/Dehradun
With the implementation of the e-detection system that monitors vehicle documents on the road without human intervention, the number of inquiries from residents at the Regional Transport Office (RTO) in the Dehradun division has increased significantly. The regional transport officer (Enforcement and Road Safety) Anita Chamola stated that queries regarding vehicle fitness, registration renewals, among others have risen by an average 50 per cent. Additionally, this system has proved successful in making residents more aware of the importance of renewing their vehicle registrations and maintaining other documents.
Chamola said that to reduce traffic congestion and ensure that vehicles on the road have valid documents, the Transport department recently brought into force the e-detection system in automatic mode across the State. This system will function based on data from vehicles passing through designated toll plazas. Key toll plazas involved include those at Bahadrabad and Bhagwanpur in Haridwar, Lacchiwala in Dehradun and Jagatpur Patti, among others. In the Dehradun division, the Bahadrabad, Bhagwanpur, and Lacchiwala toll plazas will be part of this system, she said.
She further added that the introduction of this e-detection system has indirectly led to an increase in inquiries at the RTO office, Dehradun Division. In the initial phase, e-challans will be issued only for specific violations, particularly for four-wheelers without fitness certificates and vehicles older than 15 years whose registration certificates (RCs) have expired without timely renewal. As a result, many residents have received e-challans and are visiting the RTO office to inquire about the reasons for the issued challans and renewal procedure for vehicle registration among others.
Chamola observed that in some instances, individuals who receive a challan for a violation might not have acted on it, leading to subsequent challans when they pass through the said toll plazas again (Dehradun division toll plazas). This has also caused an increase in queries from residents at the RTO office, she said.
She, however, acknowledged that while the RTO office is committed to addressing all inquiries, it may prove challenging to manage. However, the RTO team is dedicated to supporting residents. She said that this system has proved successful not only in enhancing road safety but also in making residents more aware of the importance of renewing their vehicle registrations, obtaining fitness certifications and ensuring that their vehicle documents are in order. As a result, the foot traffic related to document maintenance at the RTO office has increased, contributing to higher revenue.
Chamola urged residents to ensure that they maintain their vehicle documents and address any outstanding challans promptly. Additionally, she advised individuals who have not updated their phone numbers at the RTO to do so, as many are unaware of their e-challans due to outdated contact information.
