Maharashtra transport department gets 1.75 lakh applications for auto permits

The state transport department has received an incredible response to its online format for applying for autorickshaw permit. As on 6pm on Saturday, over 1.75 lakh applications were received.

With Saturday being the last day to submit applications for the 69,309 permits, state transport officials said the response was more than expected. Online submission of the applications had begun on January 27.

According to figures available with dna, the highest number of applications has come from Andheri RTO (43,654), followed by Wadala RTO at 17,550 applications, thereby making Mumbai the biggest chunk of the total applications in the state.

The online format has been in the eye of a storm with certain unions opposing it and some defending it. Those opposing it have called it a cumbersome process for autorickshaw drivers, as many of them are technologically challenged. However, those supporting it have called it a process that eliminates the middlemen, corruption and the RTO agents from the process.

The tentative date for holding lottery draw for the permits is February 26 and the results will be out the next day. The permits are likely to be issued to the winners sometime in the beginning of March.

The lottery draw will be held on the same lines as the affordable housing lottery draw conducted by the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority.