The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : RTO work hit by power shortage

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Friday, Jul 25, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

RTO work hit by power shortage

Staff Reporter

Lack of alternative arrangements causing inconvenience

Power supply interrupted at RTO in Secunderabad daily
Only power generator defunct since last six months

HYDERABAD: Shortage of power and the inability of authorities in making alternative arrangements are causing lot of inconvenience to driving license applicants at Regional Transport Office (RTO) in Secunderabad. Power supply is interrupted from 8.30 a.m. to 11 .30 a.m. at the RTO in Secunderabad daily. The counters inviting applications for learner’s licence, renewal of permanent driving licence, fitness certificate and other transactions are operated between 10.30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Over 200 applicants seeking learner’s license, registration of new vehicles, renewal of fitness certificate for vehicles and so on visit the RTO per day. Even before the counters are opened, applicants carrying necessary documents stand in serpentine queues at the counters only to find themselves in a hapless situation. “Despite arriving early at the RTO, one is forced to leave late in the afternoon and at times even without completing the transactions. Unless there is power supply, counters are not opened here,” said P. Rakesh, an applicant. “Making matters worse, counters are closed at 1 p.m. as per schedule. When RTO is collecting enough user charges from the people, alternative arrangements should also be made in case of power cuts,” says Mahatma Gandhi Auto Union General Secretary Dayanand.

Interestingly, the only power generator at the RTO had become defunct since last six months, causing lot of inconvenience to applicants. Denying the allegations, Secunderabad Regional Transport Officer P. Sreeramulu said that counters for collection of applications were being operated till 2 p.m. for the convenience of applicants. He also informed that a new power generator was allotted by the head office and it would be installed in a couple of days.

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