Smart card shortage: Motorists fume as RTA delays issuing DLs in Andhra

Vijayawada: Hundreds of vehicle owners are without driving licenses (DLs) and registration certificates (RCs) as Road Transport Authority (RTA) is unable to issue documents due to a shortage of smart cards. The shortage is attributed to a delay in the awarding tender to a new contractor.

Deputy Transport Commissioner, Vizag, GC Raja Ratnam said they are facing a shortage of cards. "The highest number of DLs in the state is issued by RTA, Vizag. It may take some time for the supply of new smart cards," he added. A senior officer with the Transport Department said that RTAs in the state issue around one lakh cards (DLs and RCs) in a month. The RTAs have been facing a shortage of cards for printing for the past two months. It may take one or two months for the supply of the new smart cards.

Many motorists complain that they are yet to receive their DLs or RCs even months after clearing the tests or submitting their applications. D Sudhakar, a motorist said he had cleared the DL test a month ago and had purchased a new bike around six weeks ago. The registration process was completed. But, till now he hasn't received the printed smart card of DL and RC by post. He has visited the RTA office, some officials say the smart card printing machine is under repair and some say there is a shortage of smart cards. "I don't know when I will get the cards," he added.

It is not the first time that RTAs are facing a shortage of smart cards. A couple of years ago, RTAs faced a shortage of smart cards and the transport department had extended the validity of the DLs and RCs, which expired during that year. There is a shortage of smart cards at RTA offices across the State. This problem will be resolved soon. Meanwhile, applicants can download the details of their DL and RC on their mobile phones to take a printout and carry it with them till new cards are issued, the officials added.

KEY POINTS

-Motorist must pay Rs200 to transport department for smart card

-RTA Vizag issues over 100 new and 100 renewal cards on average every day

-Transport Department is considering issuing plastic cards due to a shortage of smart cards

-The government has allowed motorists to carry digital records of their vehicles and DL

-On average 50,000 new driving licenses were issued in Vizag and over 40 percent of them were women

-Over 30 percent of new vehicles were registered in the names of women in AP