The control room of the Motor Vehicles Department (MVD), which is now functioning at Trans Towers at Vazhuthacaud, will be shifted to the District Collectorate at Kudappanakunnu.
The new, permanent control room will be more spacious. At present, challans are issued to erring motorists caught on cameras installed at Kowdiar, Kariavattom, and Overbridge Junction. The MVD had been desisting from setting up more camera traps and from posting more personnel due to space crunch in the present control room.
Official sources told The Hindu that the MVD would now set up two more camera traps, including at Panavila in the city. Apart from a team of motor vehicle inspectors (MVIs) who issue challans, the Enforcement Regional Transport Officer, who is also in charge of the mobile enforcement squads, will also function from the control room.
The office of the Deputy Transport Commissioner (South Zone) too has been shifted to the Collectorate, and has commenced functioning.
Official sources said the MVD would go ahead with the proposal to open a sub-RTO at the Collectorate to register new vehicles from Kudappanakkunnu, Peroorkada, and Vattiyurkavu villages. At present, around 300 new vehicles are brought daily for registration to the RTO office here. The number can be reduced if a sub-RTO is opened.
The MVD commenced driving tests from Monday at the new ground sanctioned by District Collector K.N. Satheesh. The new ground is in the parking space of District Tourism Promotion Council at Shanghumughom. The department is searching for a two-acre plot to set up a small testing ground with facilities such as a test track and a mini road. Over 120 candidates arrive daily for the tests for driving licences.