Bombay High Court allows RTOs to resume fitness tests till Oct 20

The Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) across the state can resume fitness testing, registration and other formalities after the Bombay High Court on Thursday allowed them to do so till October 20. These procedures had been stopped after the high court ordered that the RTOs needed a 250m testing track to efficiently perform these functions.

Now, the state transport department has till October 20 to upgrade the infrastructure as ordered by the HC. The issue had caused an unprecedented situation on Mumbai roads as over 4,000 rickshaws, several 100 taxis and transport trucks and buses were left without the legal sanction to ply. The lack of a fitness certificate for these vehicles could make them liable for fines and also create complications in insurance cover in case of their involvement in any mishap or accident.

For example, if a rickshaw accidentally hit a person, then the driver has to pay the insurance from his own pocket, as the rickshaw's own third-party insurance would be invalid. Lack of a fitness certificate meant these rickshaws could be fined to the tune of Rs1,000, if seen plying, and Rs100 per day from the 11th day onwards.

Speaking to dna, Thampi Kurien of the Mumbai Rickshawmen's Union said, "We are completely in support of upgrading our RTOs. We are happy that fitness inspections can now begin. We will request the transport department to work on holidays as well so that the backlog can be cleared and rickshaw drivers are not deprived of their livelihood by not being able to ply their vehicles."

Malkit Singh Bal of the All-India Motor Transport Congress also expressed his happiness. "Close to 1 lakh trucks in the state were off the roads. Losses were running into crores of rupees daily. The transport department should clear the backlog quickly," he said.