Applicants for Learner's Licence at Secunderabad Regional Transport Office (RTO) at Trimulgherry were left in the lurch on Tuesday as they could not take the driving licence test due to a technical snag.
Travelling from their homes in the simmering sun, over 100 applicants were forced to turn back dejected, despite booking their test slots well in advance.
Regardless of collecting exorbitant service charges for every transaction, the transport department fails to provide hassle-free service, complained Mukunda Rao, an applicant.
It was especially irksome for transport vehicle owners, including taxi, auto and truck drivers, who had to renew their road permits, pay road taxes and perform other transactions. “I had to pay road tax today to avoid penalty. Tomorrow being a public holiday, I will have to pay the tax on Thursday with a penalty for no fault of mine,” said Anand Goud, an auto-rickshaw driver.
This is the second instance of a technical snag at Secunderabad RTO in last three months. Server breakdowns and technical glitches are a regular feature at this RTO, yet authorities do not develop any back-up plan, said Mahatma Gandhi Auto Drivers Union secretary K. Dayanand.
However, RTO authorities blamed the online service provider for the technical glitch.
