Motorists in Hyderabad are facing problems because important transport documents like driving licenses (DLs) and registration certificates (RCs) are not being delivered on time. These documents, which are supposed to be sent by the Road Transport Authority (RTA) through speed post, have been delayed for almost two months. This delay is due to the RTA not paying its bills to the postal department.
Applicants who use RTA services are required to pay Rs 35 for postal charges when they apply for documents. However, because of the unpaid bills, the postal department has stopped delivering these documents, causing inconvenience for many.
M. Dayanand, the general secretary of the Telangana Auto and Motor Welfare Union, explained that while the process of printing the documents starts after an applicant submits their request, the dispatch of these documents is now on hold. He also mentioned that the RTA is supposed to send all documents via speed post, but this has not been happening for the past two months.
Dayanand raised concerns about the money being collected from applicants. He pointed out that with around 500 applicants visiting each RTA office across 11 offices in Greater Hyderabad every day, a lot of money is being collected for speed post services. He questioned why there are still unpaid bills if each applicant is charged Rs 35.
Many applicants are frustrated because they have paid for the speed post service but have not received their documents. Mahmood Hussain, a resident of Bandlaguda, said he registered his vehicle in early October but is still waiting for his registration certificate.
In addition to the delays, there are also concerns about corruption. K. Venkatesh, a resident of Rajendranagar, shared his experience at the Attapur RTA office. He said a middleman offered to help him get his card faster for a fee of Rs 500. However, when Venkatesh checked with the RTA staff, they claimed the card had already been dispatched.
The government made it mandatory in 2008 to deliver important documents like DLs and RCs through speed post to ensure that they reach the correct address and to prevent misuse. Despite this rule, the current delays are causing significant inconvenience to applicants.
