Remarkable achievements by Transport Department in 2012

Bhopal: In Madhya Pradesh, 2012 turned out to be a year of achievements. Transport Department also accomplished a number of significant works during the year.
During 2012, Motor Vehicle Act was amended in view of passenger safety under which it was made mandatory for vehicles of 32+2 capacity to have two doors on the left side. Similarly, motor vehicle tax was reduced to Rs. 20 per seat per month for passenger buses plying on rural routes. Earlier, it was Rs. 120 per set per month. Powers to issue permits were entrusted to District Transport Officers to ensure that maximum number of passenger vehicles are run on rural routes.
During the same year, the work of affixing high security (registration plaque) number plate on all vehicles in the state in deference of Supreme Court directives. Installation of these number plates will help in retrieving details about a vehicle in case of theft, misuse of vehicle in illegal works and accidents.
Construction of integrated electronic check-posts: The Transport Department is getting 24 electronic weighing machines installed under PPP mode with the assistance of the State Road Development Corporation. Entire scheme involves expenditure of about Rs. 1150 crore. At electronic weighing machines, taxes of the Transport, Forest, Mineral Resources Development and Commercial Taxes departments as well as those imposed by Mandis will be recovered. Besides this, tax evasion and overloading will also be kept under control. As a result, vehicles will pass through check-posts smoothly. So far, electronic weighing machines have started functioning at Multai, Shahpurkat and Sendhwa. Remaining works have been completed till July 2012.
Introduction of e-Service: SMS and internet-based e-Service has been introduced by the Transport Department first time in the country through which common people seek information regarding registration of any vehicle, car, permit, licence etc. through SMS or internet.
Re-structuring: The same year, Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan took Transport Department’s re-structuring seriously and granted permission to create 349 new posts and fill up vacant posts. The department earned revenue worth Rs. 1348 crore as on March 31, 2012. During the current year, the Transport Department has been given a target to generate revenue worth Rs. 1500 crore. Against the target, the department earned revenue worth Rs. 825 crore 17 till November.