Vasai: The long-awaited construction of a new Regional Transport Office (RTO) in Vasai is finally set to begin after nearly eight years of delays. This significant development follows the approval of a 12-meter access road and the necessary construction permissions from the district administration and municipal corporation. The path is now clear for the RTO to move forward with building its new office, and the work order is expected to be issued in a matter of days.
The story of this RTO office dates back to 2011 when the Sub-Regional Transport Office for Palghar district was first established in the Chandansar Bhatpada area of Virar. However, the office was set up in a rented space that has since proven to be inadequate in terms of space, safety, and amenities. Recognizing the pressing need for a proper facility, the government approved the construction of a new office in 2016, with a designated site in Gokhivare under survey number 233/A/1 and 4.
The plan was ambitious: a two-story building spread over 3.3 hectares that would house not only the RTO office but also a vehicle passing and inspection certificate center. However, the project quickly ran into legal trouble, as a court case was filed regarding the land, causing a five-year delay in any progress.
In 2022, the legal issues were finally resolved, and the Public Works Department (PWD) began to prepare a fresh plan to move forward with the construction. However, a new problem arose—there was no road leading to the site where the new office was to be built. The absence of a 12-meter access road became a significant obstacle, stalling the project once again.
The land in question, survey number 233/A/4, included 2,351 square meters that were part of a proposed road. This road required approval from district authorities before any construction could begin. After much deliberation and waiting, the Palghar District Collector recently gave the green light for the road, and the urban planning department of the municipal corporation also granted the necessary construction permissions.
With these hurdles finally cleared, the way is now open for the new Sub-Regional Transport Office in Vasai. The PWD has confirmed that the work order will be issued shortly, and construction is expected to commence soon.
The delay in construction was primarily due to the lack of necessary permissions from various government agencies, including the district administration, the municipal corporation, and the district collector’s office. These permissions have now been obtained, allowing the project to proceed.
Atul Aade, the Sub-Regional Transport Officer of Vasai, expressed relief at the progress. “We have received the necessary permissions for the 12-meter access road and the construction of the office. The work order will be issued soon, and the construction will finally begin.”
Similarly, Sanjay Yadav, the Deputy Engineer of the Public Works Department in Vasai, confirmed that all no-objection certificates for the access road and office construction have been secured. “We are now ready to move forward with the project,” he said. “The work order will be issued shortly, and the construction will start soon.”
What the New RTO Office Will Offer
The new Sub-Regional Transport Office will be housed in a two-story building, covering an area of 2,200 square meters. The office will be equipped with 24 service windows to provide various services to vehicle owners, including vehicle registration, licensing, badge issuance, and vehicle passing services. The office will also offer basic amenities to ensure a smooth and efficient experience for the public.
The total cost of the project is estimated to be Rs. 13.78 crore. This significant investment is expected to vastly improve the services provided by the RTO in Vasai, addressing the long-standing issues of inadequate space, lack of safety, and insufficient facilities at the current rented location in Virar.
The new RTO office is anticipated to be a major upgrade from the existing setup. Vehicle owners and residents of Vasai and the surrounding areas will no longer have to deal with the challenges posed by the cramped and unsafe rented premises in Virar. Instead, they will be able to access a wide range of transport-related services in a modern, well-equipped facility.
The construction of the new office will also include the establishment of a vehicle passing and inspection certificate center, which will be a crucial addition to the RTO’s services. This center will allow for more streamlined and efficient processing of vehicle inspections and certifications, which is an essential service for vehicle owners.
Once the construction is completed, the new RTO office will be a major step forward in improving the infrastructure and services available to the residents of Vasai and the surrounding areas. The new facility is expected to significantly reduce the wait times and improve the overall experience for those needing to access RTO services.
Conclusion
The journey to establishing a new Sub-Regional Transport Office in Vasai has been a long and challenging one, marked by legal battles, bureaucratic delays, and logistical challenges. However, with all necessary permissions now in place and the work order expected to be issued soon, the construction of the new RTO office is finally set to begin.
The new facility will not only address the current inadequacies of the rented premises in Virar but will also provide a modern, efficient, and well-equipped environment for vehicle owners and residents of Vasai. The new RTO office is poised to be a significant improvement in the infrastructure and services provided by the transport department in the region, benefiting the public and enhancing the overall quality of transport services in Palghar district.
As construction begins, the people of Vasai can look forward to a future where accessing transport-related services is no longer a cumbersome task but a seamless and efficient experience. The new RTO office will undoubtedly be a valuable addition to the community, serving the needs of vehicle owners and contributing to the development of the region’s infrastructure.
