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Time of India
01-08-2025
- Time of India
RTO detects misuse of eKYC-based faceless system, 3 learner licences cancelled
1 2 Nagpur: The Regional Transport Office (Nagpur City) cancelled the learner licences of three individuals after detecting misuse of the eKYC-based faceless system. The action followed an internal probe which revealed that the candidates shared their Aadhaar-linked OTPs with third parties, who then took the online test on their behalf. Assistant Motor Vehicle Inspector Dhwaj Dakhne lodged a complaint with Sitabuldi Police Station on July 10, 2025, seeking an investigation into the matter. According to RTO officials, the faceless system was designed to eliminate human intervention by using biometric verification and OTP-based authentication, but this case exposed vulnerabilities in its implementation. According to the RTO's findings, three candidates allegedly shared their eKYC-generated OTPs with third-party representatives, who then appeared for the learner licence test on their behalf. The RTO submitted that all relevant evidence, including audio recordings, will be provided to the police. I by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This Could Be the Best Time to Trade Gold in 5 Years IC Markets Learn More Undo n the complaint, officials also requested that the three learner licences be blocked on the Sarathi portal to prevent the candidates from proceeding to apply for permanent licences. Personal notices are expected to be issued to the candidates to seek their explanation before further departmental action. A senior official from Sitabuldi Police Station confirmed receipt of the complaint and said coordination is ongoing with the RTO. "We have asked the RTO to verify the case at their level and identify the three individuals who indulged in malpractice. Once we receive proper documentation and evidence to the matter, legal action will follow," the official said. "This incident is a serious breach of the faceless service system, which was introduced to simplify the licensing process. Sharing OTPs to let someone else take the test is a clear violation of the law and undermines the system's credibility," said Kiran Bidkar, Regional Transport Officer, Nagpur (City). Bidkar added that the licences have already been cancelled and a formal police complaint has been lodged. "Citizens are strictly advised not to misuse the faceless system. If any such fraud is found, we will take stringent action in the interest of road safety and system integrity," he said.
Time of India
05-06-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Bike Taxi Blues: RTO Calls For Views On Policy, Day Before Deadline Ends
Nagpur: Even though June 5 was the last date for submitting suggestions on Maharashtra's proposed bike taxi policy, the Nagpur Regional Transport Office (RTO) on Thursday invited public objections only on the final day, raising eyebrows over delayed communication and citizen outreach. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The draft rules, aimed at legalising two-wheeler taxi services in cities with over one lakh population, were issued by the state govt on May 22, but local-level awareness came tad too late. The state transport department's draft "Maharashtra Bike-Taxi Rules, 2025" lays out comprehensive aggregator policy for launching shared two-wheeler taxi services. Proposed rules make it mandatory for service providers to own at least 50 electric two-wheelers & apply for an aggregator licence using Form-1. Additional conditions include app-based booking systems, a fare structure, complaint redressal mechanism, & safety norms. In Nagpur, regional transport officer Kiran Bidkar told TOI the directive to seek public feedback was received the state transport commissioner's office headed by Vivek Bhimanwar only recently. "The last date was June 5. But since we got the instructions a couple of days ago, we are now inviting feedback from citizens. The govt may still consider the inputs," he said. However, transport activists criticised the timing, calling it a failure of public engagement. "This is a significant policy that impacts urban mobility, delivery workers, and unemployed youth looking to join the gig economy. Why was the public not informed in time?" said an auto-rickshaw union leader who preferred anonymity. The draft rules created a buzz among startups and delivery platforms, which have long demanded legalisation of two-wheeler taxis. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The policy could open doors for app-based services similar to those in other metro cities, providing affordable and faster last-mile connectivity. Still, concerns remain over traffic regulation, safety, insurance compliance, and impact on auto-rickshaw drivers. The RTO has asked citizens to send their suggestions or objections in writing or visit the city RTO office directly. However, with the official deadline now over, it remains unclear how long the window for feedback will remain open or whether new inputs will officially be incorporated into the final version submitted to the govt. Despite the communication lapse, RTO officials insisted they are committed to transparency & inclusivity in implementing the policy.
Time of India
09-05-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Just 10% of Nagpur vehicles have HSRP as deadline nears
With just 53 days remaining until the June 30 deadline for High Security Registration Plate (HSRP) installation, compliance in Nagpur remains abysmally low. Of the 13.27 lakh vehicles registered before April 1, 2019, across the city's two RTO zones, only 10.3% completed the mandatory fitment, and just 18.3% placed orders so far. According to official data updated until May 6, the city RTO (MH31) received 76,551 HSRP orders and completed 26,798 fitments, while the East RTO (MH49) recorded 70,604 orders and 20,688 fitments. That brings the total to 1.47 lakh orders and 47,486 fitments — a long way off from full compliance. To accommodate more vehicle owners, the state transport commissioner recently extended the earlier deadline of March 31 to June 30. Fitment charges have also been standardised: Rs 450 for two-wheelers and tractors, Rs 500 for three-wheelers, and Rs 745 for cars and light motor vehicles, excluding GST. Neither of Nagpur's RTO offices is conducting regular inspections, enabling malpractice and slowing down compliance. Complaints are rising about fitment centres overcharging and using incorrect fixtures. In a recent case, the East Nagpur RTO received a complaint against Zen TVS Blue Mobility Ventures Pvt. Ltd, which was accused of charging beyond the prescribed rates and using nut bolts instead of mandated rivets. The RTO responded by issuing a show-cause notice and ordered the suspension of operations through the HSRP supplier. Authorities have urged citizens to report any instance of overcharging or improper installation. "If anyone is charged more than approved rates or notices unsafe fitting practices, they should immediately inform RTO," said City RTO Kiran Bidkar. Onus is now on the transport authorities to tighten the inspections & speed up fittings to avoid a last-minute rush of vehicle owners and avoid unwarranted fines.
Time of India
08-05-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Just 10% of Nagpur vehicleshave HSRP as deadline nears
Nagpur: With just 53 days remaining until the June 30 deadline for High Security Registration Plate (HSRP) installation, compliance in Nagpur remains abysmally low. Of the 13.27 lakh vehicles registered before April 1, 2019, across the city's two RTO zones, only 10.3% completed the mandatory fitment, and just 18.3% placed orders so to official data updated until May 6, the city RTO (MH31) received 76,551 HSRP orders and completed 26,798 fitments, while the East RTO (MH49) recorded 70,604 orders and 20,688 fitments. That brings the total to 1.47 lakh orders and 47,486 fitments — a long way off from full accommodate more vehicle owners, the state transport commissioner recently extended the earlier deadline of March 31 to June 30. Fitment charges have also been standardised: Rs 450 for two-wheelers and tractors, Rs 500 for three-wheelers, and Rs 745 for cars and light motor vehicles, excluding of Nagpur's RTO offices is conducting regular inspections, enabling malpractice and slowing down compliance. Complaints are rising about fitment centres overcharging and using incorrect fixtures. In a recent case, the East Nagpur RTO received a complaint against Zen TVS Blue Mobility Ventures Pvt. Ltd, which was accused of charging beyond the prescribed rates and using nut bolts instead of mandated rivets. The RTO responded by issuing a show-cause notice and ordered the suspension of operations through the HSRP have urged citizens to report any instance of overcharging or improper installation. "If anyone is charged more than approved rates or notices unsafe fitting practices, they should immediately inform RTO," said City RTO Kiran Bidkar. Onus is now on the transport authorities to tighten the inspections & speed up fittings to avoid a last-minute rush of vehicle owners and avoid unwarranted fines.
