While several government offices are understaffed, the regional transport office (RTO) in Mangaluru is experiencing a significant shortage of inspectors. Despite having 20 sanctioned posts of inspectors and senior inspectors, the office only has two inspectors, at a time when the number of vehicles is rising.
An officer said that recently two probationary inspectors were appointed, and they are undergoing training at present. Three years ago, the office had eight inspectors, and early this month, one inspector from Udupi has been deputed to the Mangaluru office. Due to the inspector shortage, the focus is more on issues such as tax collection, and tracing defaulters, rather than being seen on the road. As a result, the implementation is not occurring as expected by the public, the official said.
Vehicle registrations increasing
Meanwhile, the city is also recording a rise in number of vehicles. In 2021, the Mangaluru RTO saw 2,545 registration of transportation vehicles that comprise public service vehicles and passenger/goods vehicles, and non-transport vehicle registrations, including cars and two-wheelers, that stood at 32,490. Similarly, the following year, 4,080 transport vehicles and 39,101 non-transport vehicles were registered. This year, up to July, 2,688 transport and 23,134 non-transport vehicles have been registered. Vehicle registrations are expected to rise during the festive season, especially during Ganesh Chaturthi, Navaratri and Diwali. Among non-transport registrations, in the year 2021, two-wheeler registrations stood at 24,055, and increased to 29,563 in 2022. This year, till July, two-wheeler registrations were at 17,055. Similarly, the registration of cars was 8,312 in 2021 and 9,377 in 2022. This year, the registration till July was 5,908, said assistant RTO Vishwanath Naik N.
HMV drivers must take refresher course regularly ARTO Vishwanath Naik N urged heavy vehicle drivers, especially those driving buses of educational institutions, to opt for refresher course voluntarily, that is being conducted at the heavy vehicle training centre of the transport department at Kamblapadavu near Konaje.
“Though this course is mandatory, only at the time of licence renewal, we are requesting the educational institutions to ensure that their drivers periodically take this course from a safety perspective,” he said.
He said 11 buses from educational institutions were registered at the Mangaluru RTO in 2021, and increased to 59 in 2022, and this year, so far, 37 buses have been registered.
