[FINTAIL]

The following article was observed, in the Times of India, South Bombay, as of today- 5 February 2015.

The concerned link: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/c...w/46125559.cms

MUMBAI: [i]Soon, motorists will not have to go to the RTO for new car registrations and sale/transfer of vehicles. They will be able to do so online.

On Wednesday, all RTO heads in the city had a live demonstration of a new software, Vahan 4.0, via videoconferencing.

"The software is in the trial stage; it is likely to be implemented by March-April," said a source, adding that the Centre will take the final decision on its implementation.

"Once implemented, citizens will have to come to the RTOs only for vehicle inspection. Even this could be soon outsourced (to authorized car dealers and manufacturers)," said an RTO official.

This change, particularly given the fact that most of us, have paid ridiculous amounts for registering our cars- is indeed remarkable.

[FINTAIL]

Following links state a lot about the reformations in MH RTO's in recent times:

The Pune [MH12, MH14, and MH53(?) & MH54(?)] RTO:

Link 1: Pune RTO to inspect and grade various driving schools: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/c...w/46036677.cms

Link 2: Protest against illegal touts: http://www.dnaindia.com/pune/report-...at-rto-2056896

Link 3: The touts (aka Agents! ) beat a very hasty retreat : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/c...w/45949202.cms

Link 4: A new helpdesk : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/c...w/45989111.cms

Link 5: Ah! The touts new demands () : http://www.iamin.in/en/pune/news/tou...t-system-50814

The Mumbai (aka Bombay!) RTO :

Link 1 : MH-01 (South Bombay) RTO gutted in fire : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/c...w/46077960.cms

Link 2 : Effects of reforms evident in Navi Mumbai RTO (MH-43/Vashi/MH-46/Panvel):
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/c...w/46112316.cms

Link 3 : Borivali and northern suburbs to get a new RTO (MH-47) : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/c...w/30636955.cms

[reverse_gear]

Most welcome development if it happens. Could not come sooner.

With passport appointments, tax filings, PAN card, etc. all going online, the burden of having to deal with agents is being reduced by the day. The RTO is probably the last bastion which has resisted technology till now. Will be most citizen friendly if this routine activity can also be sorted out.

[saket77]

Doubtful if that plan will see the light of day. They have always resisted and will resist digitization of such stuff as it closes a major income source. There are some RTOs with online payment of road tax but the system never works. People even paying the municipal tax for their houses/ flats etc will know that to pay their tax, they have to dish out something extra than just the tax!

But if that happens, general people will not be any happier.

[reverse_gear]

Originally Posted by saket77

Doubtful if that plan will see the light of day. They have always resisted and will resist digitization of such stuff as it closes a major income source. There are some RTOs with online payment of road tax but the system never works. People even paying the municipal tax for their houses/ flats etc will know that to pay their tax, they have to dish out something extra than just the tax!

But if that happens, general people will not be any happier.

Have been paying municipal taxes online in Bangalore for years - no problem whatsoever. Same now with passport application (which was also agent ruled in the past). With all other services going online, it was only a matter of time before the RTO followed suit.

I am somehow not as pessimistic as you are. It requires one strong leader to push it through and things can get better for the longer run.

[GTO]

Here's an excellent thread on the Vahan & Sarathi software - link.

[saket77]

Sorry to play the party spoiler again, but I tried accessing 2 state transport department Government websites through the Vahan site (WB & JH). Was not surprised that both did not work.:(

[Foxbat]

Mods please feel free to move to a relevant thread:

I am currently living in Mumbai, if I buy a used car registered outside the city such as Navi Mumbai (MH-43) or Panvel (MH-46) and get it transferred to my name and I reside in Andheri (MH-02), will I have to pay additional Road tax and registrations charges?

As far as I know people usually register cars outside the city to avoid paying higher taxes.