Key Reforms In Transport Sector Soon

Minister for Transport Ponnam Prabhakar today announced that the Telangana government had decided to implement key reforms in the transport sector, focusing on a vehicle scrapping policy, safer roads and automated testing centres.

Addressing the media at the Secretariat, the minister explained the reforms being introduced in the transport sector.

He also said that the government would adopt the Sarathi Vahan portal, which had already been implemented by 28 States across India under the Motor Vehicle Act.

"This portal will streamline interstate vehicle relations, reducing conflicts at the grassroots level, particularly those involving RTOs and DTOs. It will be implemented in Telangana under GO 28," he said.

The minister also announced a vehicle scrapping policy, whereby private vehicles older than 15 years and commercial vehicles older than 8 years would be scrapped.

"This decision aligns with similar policies implemented in Karnataka and Maharashtra, and Telangana is set to follow suit with its own GO," Ponnam said.

The minister also said that Telangana planned to establish Automated Vehicle Testing Centres across the State to improve vehicle fitness checks. Each centre would cost Rs 8 crore, and would ensure strict enforcement of pollution and fitness regulations, with 32 centres expected to be established, he said.

Expressing concern over the alarming statistics on road accidents, which he said claimed 160,000 lives annually across the country, he stressed on the need for stricter road safety measures in Telangana.

"The upcoming Road Safety Month will focus on educating people about traffic rules, signal systems and zebra crossings. The government is also taking strict action against traffic rule violators, with 8,000 driving licenses already cancelled. Violators will face permanent disqualification from obtaining a driving license or registering a vehicle." he said.

For enhanced enforcement to prevent reckless driving and ensure adherence to traffic regulations, the minister said that government vehicles, RTC buses, two-wheelers and four-wheelers would all be subjected to these new policies, and that there would be no exception for even government vehicles.

To strengthen enforcement, 113 new vehicle inspectors had been recruited, and would soon begin their duties, he said.

"The State government is also working closely with UNICEF to raise awareness about road safety in schools," he added.

He also said that while Telangana had transitioned from TS (Telangana State) to TG (Telangana Government) for vehicle registration, only new vehicles would carry the TG registration.