Rly Station Cabs Trapped In RedTape Again Over Licence Norms The app-based cab service at Nagpur Railway Station has once again stalled due to bureaucratic disputes between the regional transport office (RTO) and the collector’s office, leaving commuters stranded in the scorching heat. What was intended as a convenient solution for passengers, particularly during the current heatwave, has instead become a symbol of administrative inertia. The private aggregator, which had planned to launch limited operations at the west gate in May, has suspended its plans following unresolved licensing norms and pending No Objection Certificates (NOCs). Collector Kumar Ashirwad acknowledged the impasse during a meeting with officials and cab operators, stating that while a policy framework for aggregators exists, final rules remain pending. “In the interim, we will prepare a proposal and submit it to the state transport authority, outlining the current situation, challenges faced by aggregators, and seek issuance of a provisional licence,” he said. A follow-up meeting with the aggregators has been scheduled for next week. However, the delay has left commuters, including senior citizens and families carrying heavy luggage, forced to navigate chaotic traffic and makeshift pickup points like Jaistambh Chowk or Mohini Complex. Passengers have expressed frustration over the lack of relief. “There’s no respite from the trauma of trekking 300m to avail a cab in this heat. And there’s no relief from the auto mafia as well,” said a harried traveler. The auto mafia, long accused of dominating the local transport ecosystem, has reportedly intensified its grip, exploiting the absence of organized services.#nagpur #rto #nagpur_railway_station #auto_mafia #collector_kumar_ashirwad
HC warns action over non-compliance with school transport safety orders The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court on Tuesday expressed sharp displeasure over lapses in implementing school bus safety norms, questioning administrative inaction and warning of possible action against the deputy director of education. A division bench comprising Justices Anil Kilor and Raj Wakode noted that despite clear directives from earlier hearings, essential measures such as issuing notices to schools and installing designated bus stop signage had not been carried out. The court observed that the issue was not being taken seriously, emphasizing that compliance was expected before the reopening of schools. Senior counsel Firdos Mirza assisted the court as amicus curiae, while Deepak Thakare represented the state government and Abhay Sambare appeared for the Nagpur Municipal Corporation. The court had previously directed the director to issue notices to all schools regarding adherence to school transport norms. However, during the latest hearing, it emerged that no such notices had been sent. The bench termed this a serious lapse and directed the education secretary to initiate action against the official and submit a report at the next hearing. "There is no compliance made of this order," the bench remarked, questioning why no application had been moved if there were difficulties in implementation. The court directed the department of education secretary and the principal secretary (school education) to examine the matter and take appropriate action against erring officials. The case stemmed from a suo motu public interest litigation (PIL) initiated after the death of a schoolchild who was run over by a bus.#bombay_high_court #nagpur_bench #rto #deputy_director_of_education #school_bus_stop
Auto Mafia Controls Nagpur Transport, Passengers Forced to Walk in Extreme Heat Nagpur: As the city swelters above 42°C, passengers arriving at the main railway station in Sitabuldi are forced into an exhausting walk with heavy luggage, with app-based cab services still unavailable in station premises due to the fear of the autorickshaw mafia. Senior citizens, women, and children are among the worst hit, as autorickshaw operators dictate fares in the absence of an organised transport system at one of Central India's busiest railway junctions. The situation is compounded by delays in launching app-based cab services, months after Central Railway awarded the tender to BharatCabs for dedicated operations. Sources said the rollout is pending due to the mandatory no-objection certificate from a committee headed by the district collector, with members from the Regional Transport Office (RTO), Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), and city traffic police. While the RTO has the authority to approve fare structures, the final regulatory clearance is still awaited. Officials indicated that documentation is largely complete, but procedural hurdles continue to stall the project. In the meantime, passengers are forced to walk with their luggage outside the station towards Jaistambh Chowk and nearby areas around Tekdi Ganesh temple to take a cab. Commuters have flagged exhaustion, dehydration risks, and safety concerns, especially during peak heat hours. The absence of a designated pick-up zone within the station has led to congestion on roads at both gates of the railway station, with private vehicles halting haphazardly. Railway authorities, meanwhile, have intensified action against unauthorised autorickshaws operating near the station.#nagpur #rto #district_collector #sitabuldi_railway_station #bharatcabs
Senior Congress Leader Accuses RTO Officials of Running Extortion Racket in Vidarbha Nagpur: Senior Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar on Thursday accused the Regional Transport Office (RTO) system in Vidarbha of harboring a well-organized extortion network, claiming that even a senior Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) officer is complicit in enabling illegal collections and shielding offenders. Speaking to the media in Nagpur, Wadettiwar alleged that retired deputy RTO officials and those in Akola are part of a system that routinely extracts money from truck operators, vehicle owners, and transporters. He claimed that overloaded vehicles are allowed to operate after payments are funneled through intermediaries. The Congress legislative party leader further stated that an additional SP-rank ACB officer is allegedly protecting the racket by alerting those involved ahead of trap operations. According to Wadettiwar, the officer, who has been posted in the bureau for nearly a decade, receives complaints and passes them on to individuals under scrutiny. He argued that this system undermines enforcement and allows illegal practices to persist unchecked. Wadettiwar questioned a recent trap operation conducted on March 23, calling it "fabricated" and based on a false complaint by a truck driver who had not traveled on the route where the alleged demand was made. He emphasized that refusal to pay results in organized traps, while payment leads to advance alerts and the perpetrators’ escape. The allegations highlight concerns about corruption within the RTO system, which is responsible for regulating road transport and ensuring compliance with safety and licensing standards.#vijay_wadettiwar #vidarbha #rto #anti_corruption_bureau #acb
Candidates Must Take Learner Licence Test Without Assistance: RTO The Regional Transport Office (RTO) in Bengaluru has issued a directive warning that applicants who seek help during the online Learner's Licence (LLR) test will have their applications rejected. According to officials, candidates are required to take the test independently without any external assistance. J P Krishnananda, the regional transport officer for Bengaluru East (Kasturinagar), explained that most RTO services, including the LLR application process, are now available online through the Parivahan portal. The portal features two main sections: Sarathi, which handles driving licence-related services, and Vahan, which manages vehicle registration and documentation. Krishnananda emphasized that after submitting an LLR application, candidates can take the test at a time convenient to them. However, he clarified that any form of interference, such as someone assisting the candidate or standing nearby during the test, is considered a violation. Such actions could result in the rejection of the application. The RTO’s stance underscores the importance of maintaining the integrity of the licensing process, ensuring that all applicants meet the necessary standards without external aid. The directive highlights the RTO’s efforts to streamline and regulate the licensing process, leveraging digital platforms to reduce bureaucratic hurdles. By enforcing strict guidelines on the test environment, the RTO aims to prevent fraudulent practices and ensure that candidates are genuinely prepared for the responsibilities of driving. This approach aligns with broader initiatives to modernize transportation services and enhance transparency in administrative processes.#bengaluru #rto #parivahan_portal #sarathi #vahan
