No change in office timing

RTO still functioning in time wrap despite huge rush of people every day

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, Aug 18: Though much has changed in the government departments and they are moving towards efficiency, but Regional Transport Office (RTO) seems to be still living in time wrap.

Despite tremendous increase in the number of vehicle owners, who are applying the RTO for making licenses or other works have just two hours to complete their work.

The working hours of the office cash counter in summer is from timing 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM whereas in winters it is from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

“This is quite irritating as in recent past hundreds of people visit the office. They still follow the old timing, when very less people used to visit the office”, said Ajit paul, a local resident.

According to sources, there is huge rush of people in the office, coming from far flung areas of district Jammu, but due to limited time to deposit the required fee and other documents they have to face hardship.

Beside this there is no proper sitting arrangement and other required facilities which also creates problems for the people coming different part of Jammu.

Pertinently, there is no proper arrangement for vehicle parking in the newly constructed building of RTO office.

Vinay Kumar a resident of Bishnah said that due he has visited to RTO office from the last two weeks, but still unable to complete the formalities for his driving license, due to less working hours of cash counter.

Despite shifting of RTO from Warehouse, Vikram Chowk to well furnish building at Transport Nagar, Narwal, the office is still lacking basic facilities.

According to sources, the office of the RTO, inaugurated in February 2011, is without sitting arrangements for visitor, no drinking water facilities and no washrooms.

He maintained that although, shifting of RTO office to Transport Nagar is appreciable, but still lack of basic facilities in newly constructed building is appalling.

Large number of people visits RTO office to get their work done, but have to face great inconvenience due to lack of basic facilities, therefore RTO Department needs to overcome all the problems of general people so that they can enjoy all facilities, he rued.

Regional Transport Officer, Jammu Varinder Salathia could not be contacted even after repeating attempts.

Whereas, Transport Commissioner, Dr S M Fazallulah when approached disconnected the call of the reporter.