The Gujarat High Court summoned RTO officials, the Under Secretary of the Home Department, and officials from the Transport Commissioner’s office to appear in court on Aug 14.

In Ahmedabad city, issues of illegal entry of luxury buses, unauthorized parking on public roads, vehicles operating without permits across the state, and school vans carrying children with CNG kits have come under scrutiny by the HC. 

The court singled out the Regional Transport Office (RTO), transport department, and police for their negligence in controlling illegal activities like luxury buses entering city limits, unauthorized parking, and vehicles operating without permits.

To address the issue, the court has ordered the RTO and transport department to submit a detailed action plan within four weeks. 

Justice Sandeep N Bhatt expressed distress over the complete failure of the system, highlighting that the public is suffering greatly and is in a state of desperation. 

The court remarked, “You will only act when a distressed person resorts to a revolt? You are supposed to serve the public, but your actions suggest otherwise. The RTO office should ensure adherence to laws and regulations.”

The court criticized the RTO, the Additional Commissioner of the Transport Department, and the Under Secretary of the Home Department, saying, “What’s going on with your RTO? Transfers of vehicles take months. What provisions are there in the Motor Vehicle Act? Who is considered the owner of a vehicle? If someone sells their vehicle and you delay the transfer for months, who is responsible? It seems you need an agent for everything to get done. Why should the common public suffer?”

The court further questioned the RTO’s office, “Are you running the office for the public or for agents? Is it to benefit the staff economically? If the system is online, why does work not get done on the same day?”

“Licenses, transfers, or renewals are delayed for days with excuses like slow servers or staff vacations. But if an agent is involved, the work is completed by the evening. Your criteria change based on whether there is an agent involved. You need to improve the system, or the High Court will detail everything in its order,” the court added.

Justice Bhatt also expressed profound dissatisfaction with the state of affairs, stating, “The system is completely broken and operates in darkness. Your offices are so inefficient that driving tracks are not functional, licenses are not issued on time, permits are not checked, and people’s issues are ignored. The media reports highlight these issues. Rickshaws are often overloaded, and school vans are dangerously packed with children”.

The court also criticized the police department, noting, “The police and traffic department have nothing to say. Even though everything is visible, no action is taken. Private cars are used to carry passengers, while luxury buses, ST buses, and vendors occupy the roads, leaving no path for the public. The police should use their authority effectively and perform their duties.”

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