Close circuit televisions for all regional transport office check posts

The Maharashtra Regional Transport Office (RTO) will soon be better equipped to bring to book the overloaded trucks that evade paying tax at the border check posts  across the state. All the 22 check posts will be monitored by CCTV cameras which will be connected to a central server room.

The initiative, which is a part of the Rs1,000-crore modernisation process, will be completed by mid 2011. Every day, at least 65,000 vehicles pass through these check posts which connect seven neighbouring states.

Besides helping the RTO to curb the rampant menace of the track-driver-official corrupt nexus, the CCTV cameras will also be useful in aiding security measures. “Since every movement will be monitored round-the-clock, corruption will reduce,” said Deepak Kapoor, state transport commissioner.

Currently, installation of cameras on the check posts at Thane on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad highway is underway. Soon, work at Akola, Pune and Nasik will begin.

The records of fines and receipts will now be computerised. With the RTO cracking the whip on truck drivers who evade paying taxes, the recovery of fines is set to double.

Currently, the flying squads keep an eye on over-loaded trucks. Shortly, 65 more flying squads, comprising four inspectors each, will be pressed into action to conduct surprise checks on heavy motor vehicles flouting traffic rules. The present strength of the flying squads is 60.

Plans are afoot to procure 100 new vehicles for the 45 RTOs across the state.