The AP Road transport department has come out with a number of changes to improve road safety and provide better and quick services to the people. The department has introduced the latest technology for improved services. In an interview with Siva G of TOI, AP transport commissioner N Balasubhramanyam elaborates the challenges being faced by the department and the steps being taken to deal with it. He also emphasises the need to impose strict safety measures to ensure that driving on highways is a safe. Balasubhramanyam said 83 services have been made online and the use of modern technology will help speed up the process of issuing driving licences without compromising on safety.
Q) During your recent visit to Vizag you spoke about services going online. Could you please elaborate?
Thus far, most of the services have been provided manually. Now we have decided to make online as many as 83 services, i.e 80% of the services being provided by the road transport department. This will not only help reduce the work load on the staff but also speed up the process. This is being done for two reasons: First, to provide on time service to the public, and secondly, to help reduce the stress on the staff. The stress level will come down by 40% by the end of June.
Q) Could you tell us about some of these services
We will provide special online kiosks for people. This will be helpful even to the illiterate. The applicant will have to press one of the three buttons to answer the question. Earlier, many people used to give the wrong answers. This way we will ensure that a person, who fails in the test, will get to know why he failed the test. The screen will also display the right answers once the test is over. The questions are easy to answer.
Q) How many such kiosks are required in the state and how many will be set up now?
The test is basically for immediate issuance of LLR. In Vizag alone more than 250 people appear for the test every day. The requirement is 1000 such kiosks all over the state as there are 97 licence issuing centres. By end of this month will be set up such kiosk at all major centres, if the pilot project gives the desired results. It is now functioning in Vijayawada.
Q) Are there any changes with regard to issuance of temporary registration numbers?
Even this service is going online and we have already introduced it in Vizag. Temporary registration number is issued soon after a person buys a vehicle from a dealer. If a vehicle owner wishes to transfer his vehicle to someone’s name, he can do so online. This will also facilitate transfer of all documents. The system was introduced on March 2.
Q) Will the testing tracks also be modernised?
Yes, the testing tracks will also be modernised. We will install CCTV cameras on testing tracks. By end of June this year all the major centres will have the facility. It will be introduced first in Vijayawada at the Gannavaram track. We are also conducting awareness campaigns in districts to make people understand the road safety, traffic, and motor vehicle signs, rules and regulations.
Q) What about the bidding for fancy numbers? Will it also be conducted online?
Earlier, we used to conduct a regular and old-fashioned bidding and auction session, where the bidders for the fancy numbers would be present in person. Now, we are developing a module that would help us eliminate this process and the bidding can be done online. We should be able to implement this service by June-end.
Q) You have expressed concern over accidents. Is there a scientific plan to check accidents?
The state government is planning to minimise road accidents. The government conducted a survey of Visakhapatnam-Vijayawada highway, where 42 percent of the accidents in the state take place. Black spots and accident prone areas have been identified. The survey pointed out certain flaws in road engineering works. We have advised construction of ramps near village junctions. We have also emphasised the need for scientifically-designed service roads. This stretch of the highway is one of the oldest in the country. It needs to be upgraded. The road audit has also been submitted to the National Highways Authority of India. We have also advised opening of sufficient number of trauma care centres to reduce the fatality rate in road accident cases.
Date: March 7, 2016