Mira-Bhayandar: In a welcome news for citizens and vehicle owners in the twin-city, the state government has approved the creation of a sub-Regional Transport Office (RTO) in Mira Bhayandar and its registration code will be MH:58.

A government resolution (GR) to this effect was issued by the home department on 28, February which incidentally is the eve of Transport Day celebrated which is observed on 1, March (RTO Foundation Day). Taking into consideration the rising number of vehicles in the twin-city, local legislator and state transport minister- Pratap Sarnaik had mooted the proposal.

As per the GR, the required posts will be sanctioned soon for the new sub RTO, however as a stop gap arrangement the transport commissioner has been directed to appoint staffers from other offices, till the staffing pattern is finalized and vacancies are filled.

While the new facility will come up on a rental space in Uttan, an interceptor vehicle equipped with cameras and speed gun/radars to capture photos of vehicles breaking traffic rules will be provided to officials albeit with approval from the Vehicle Review Committee.

“The facility will not only ease congestion at existing transport offices but will also streamline vehicle related works for the benefit of owners.” said Sarnaik. Apart from issuing driving/learners licenses, verifying insurances and pollution tests, a sub-RTO plays an important role of conducting vehicle fitness inspections, collecting road taxes and allocating registration numbers.