AGARTALA, June 24 (TIWN):The transport department is all set to go tech-savvy likely in six months time, people can get a driving licence, register their vehicles, pay their motor vehicle taxes and take permits anywhere in the State, regardless of their residence said Minister for Transport Manik Dey.

Speaking to reporters at secretariat the minister said all eight  district office  will be   covered and in a phased manner,hitherto, because of localised transactions in RTA offices, information on user transaction takes at least  seven  days . With the new web-enabled networking technologies, it would be almost instant..

The system is expected to make the transport department more accountable in their interactions with members of the general public besides improving transparency in the nature of its functioning. The system would enable senior officials to stay in the loop about the status of complaint redressals..

Concern for the safety of schoolchildren has prompted the state transport department the minister said that all motor vehicle inspector and district transport officer were told to follow strict guidelines while issuing fitness certificates to school buses.    

Despite strict guidelines of the state government on the vehicles carrying schoolchildren, private schools are giving a go-by to safety aspects with old and rickety buses and auto-rickshaws ferrying children to schools. Some buses were even plying without physical fitness certification which is a pre-requisite for ensuring that the buses comply with all safety norms. As various schools have stopped increasing their fleet of buses, a good number of students were also seen travelling in overloaded auto-rickshaws and cabs.

With rampant increase  in road accident deaths, the State Government has finally decided to  crack the whip on driving schools, making tests tougher the transport minister said. “At present, anyone who has minimum driving skills, passes the test. But, in future, only those with maximum expertise will pass the test," stated the minister. MVI and DTO are directed to visit all driving schools every month.