All the services, including learner’s driving licence tests were suspended at Secunderabad Regional Transport Authority (RTA) after fire broke out at 8.30 a.m. in the store section on Tuesday. Few computers and records were damaged in the fire mishap.
Authorities said applicants, who could not take the licence tests following the incident, can take the tests on Wednesday at respective time slots. Nearly 15 computer monitors, eight printers and nine processing units were damaged in the fire. Authorities claimed all this equipment was scrap and there was not much of property damage.
Everyday over 100 applicants take learner’s driving licence tests at the office and nearly 300 others visit for obtaining vehicle fitness certificates, renewal of permits, payments of taxes etc.
Soon after the security guards and watchmen noticed smoke and flames in the store section, they informed higher authorities. Two fire tenders, including one from the defence services arrived at the spot and doused the flames, said M.S.R Murthy, in-charge Secunderabad RTO. Timely intervention by a few staff members, particularly vehicle inspectors, Srinivasa Rao and B. Neha and immediate action by fire services department helped in averting a major fire accident, he said.
Authorities claimed that there were sufficient fire extinguishers and other fire fighting measures in the office.
Though the reasons behind the mishap were yet to be ascertained, it could have been due to short circuit. Now that all the services were online in the department, there is a back up of records and other important documents in the central server, he added.
Joint Transport Commissioner G. Panduranga Rao said a complaint was lodged with the police. Instructions were issued to the in-charge RTO to conduct an enquiry about the incident and file a report, he said.
