The Maharashtra government has introduced revised criteria for the establishment of new Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) and Sub-Regional Transport Offices (SRTOs) across the state. This move comes in response to the significant surge in vehicle registrations and the increasing demand for transport-related services.
New Framework to Enhance Accessibility to Transport Services
The revised norms aim to improve access to essential transport services, particularly in remote areas and burgeoning urban centers where citizens often face long travel distances to reach existing departmental offices. The establishment of new RTOs and SRTOs is expected to streamline services such as vehicle registration, issuance and renewal of driving licenses, vehicle fitness inspections, tax collection, and permit-related work.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the updated framework has been formulated based on recommendations submitted by an expert committee. These recommendations are currently under consideration for in-principle approval by the state government. The initiative addresses the growing administrative workload within the Transport Department, a direct consequence of the consistent rise in vehicle ownership.
Stricter Criteria for Office Establishment
Under the proposed norms, a new transport office’s jurisdiction must encompass at least four talukas. Furthermore, it must serve an area with a registered vehicle population exceeding five lakh, a human population of over seven lakh, and generate an annual revenue of more than ₹100 crore. Areas situated more than 50 kilometers from an existing transport office will be given priority for new office consideration.
In instances where the volume of work may not warrant a full-fledged transport office, the government has proposed the establishment of Automated Vehicle Inspection Centres (ATS) and Automated Driving Test Tracks (ADTT). These facilities are designed to offer vehicle fitness testing and driving license assessment services closer to the public.
Addressing the Surge in Vehicle Ownership
The Transport Department currently operates a network of 59 RTOs and sub-RTOs throughout Maharashtra. This infrastructure caters to millions of vehicle owners and license holders. However, the state has recorded over 4 crore registered vehicles, with approximately 28.90 lakh new vehicles registered in the financial year 2024-25 alone. Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik highlighted the necessity of expanding transport infrastructure to effectively manage the increasing vehicle numbers and ensure timely service delivery.
The expansion of transport infrastructure has become imperative in light of the escalating number of vehicles in the state, Minister Sarnaik stated. He emphasized that with vehicle ownership rising significantly, strengthening the Transport Department’s infrastructure is crucial for ensuring the timely provision of services to citizens. The creation of new offices will necessitate additional staffing and support services at the local level, a factor being considered in the implementation plans.
The proposed expansion and the associated infrastructural enhancements are expected to be implemented following a final government decision on the expert committee’s recommendations. The RTOs are integral to the state’s administrative machinery, ensuring compliance with motor vehicle laws and facilitating smooth road transportation across Maharashtra.
The Chenab Times News Desk