RTOs across the state stop registration of new vehicles, renewal of fitness certificates

If you are one of the few thousand who were expecting the delivery of your brand new vehicle recently, you might just have to wait a few more days before you get the delivery and are able to drive it on roads as all Regional Transport Offices (RTO) across the state stopped the registration of new vehicles on Wednesday.

Along with stopping new registrations, the RTOs have also stopped the renewal of fitness certificates of older vehicles.

However, unlike most cases where such disruptions are a result of a protest or a direct order from the transport commissioner’s office, this abstinence from doing their jobs comes in the wake of a recent Bombay High Court order, sources claim.

While hearing a PIL by Pune-based activist Shrikant Karve, the HC told the state government to follow its earlier directive and construct a 250 metre track at all RTOs across the state to test vehicles before issuing fitness certificates, failing which it will be held in contempt.

Although no official has come forth to confirm why all RTOs have stopped work abruptly, the HC order seems like the likely possibility. Even transport commissioner Pravin Gedam remained unavailable for comment.

An official, on the condition of anonymity, said, “Yes we have stopped registering new vehicles and renewing fitness certificates for the day. It is unclear if the work will resume even tomorrow unless the HC provides relief to all RTOs.”

According to the official, the stoppage will also lead to the spillover of work on the subsequent days, which may result in some delays for vehicle owners.