Bumpy start at RTO Panaji’s temporary office

Panaji: Officials from the regional transport office (RTO) in Panaji have started functioning temporarily from the PWD's division XI office, at Patto, in the aftermath of the fire that gutted records dating back to 1960s.

Registration of vehicles, issuance of licences and other services have resumed at the new location.

The RTO staff, of about 25 persons, is carrying out its paperwork without any racks or cabinets to keep the files in. The files are thus stacked on the floor of the assistant director's cabin at the end of each day.

There is no security for cash transactions. Officers take the cash home and return with it the next day to be deposit it into the bank.

"We normally try to deposit the money into the bank on the same day. But sometimes it gets delayed and we don't have a money chest to lock the cash. Thus one of the inspectors takes up the responsibility on such days to take the cash home for the night," said a senior official.

While internet connection seems to work fine, the lack of telephone lines has led to a communication gap. "For simple inquires, people would usually call the office and we would answer them. Now they have to come here for updates and return later to get the work done," said another official.

There is no proper ventilation in the building for the comfort of the visitors or the staff.

"If we open the windows, there is a risk of letting in the mosquitoes as the office is on bank of the creek," RTO inspector F A Vaz said.

Jude Soares, a businessman from Panaji said, "The RTO had recently digitized their services but after the fire they are back to the paper method. All transactions are being carried out by cash and the only proof for it is a receipt. This is an obvious drawback."

Alcina Fernandes, a housewife from Merces, said, "The premises is very inconvenient. It is too congested and non-breathable. This will be a problem for senior citizens."

The staff will have to vacate the premises within two months in order to accommodate the Serendipity Arts Festival, which is scheduled to be held in December. This office is one of the venues for the festival.

"The office at the KTC bus stand complex should hopefully be repaired by then," assistant director (North), transport, B A Sawant, who heads the RTO Panaji, said.

"The PWD has already started inspecting the area along with experts from Goa College of Engineering for renovation of the premises. No sooner, the work is done, we will shift to our old office." he said.