THE GOAN NETWORK
VASCO
Despite indicating plans to shift to its new premises in Baina, the Regional Transport Office (RTO) presently located in Vasco is yet to shift to its new premises in Baina.
According to sources, the RTO office was to be shifted to Baina on Friday but it was decided that RTO would shift on Monday and it was also decided that only the learning licence section catered by Goa Electronics Limited (GEL), which occupies major space of the present office, would be shifted to Baina.
Sources further said the staff of GEL reported to the new premises at Baina and were later directed to go to Margao.
Though the reason for the delay is unclear, sources said another RTO office was planned at the new Kadamba bus stand in Vasco and the office could be shifted there once the project is ready.
As part of this plan, the source said the RTO would operate from two different locations in Vasco city, where documentation and licencing, including tests for learners, would be taken and handled by GEL at the Baina office.
Administrative works and other related works could be operated presently from the Vasco office and later shifted to the proposed office at the KTC bus stand, the source added.
Meanwhile, several residents of Vasco who have been facing issues with the present RTO office in Vasco, have been eagerly awaiting the RTO to be shifted to its new premises.
“Work on the new premises had begun as early as 2016 after the transport department had put up a proposal inviting applications in 2015. The premises were finally ready in 2018 after two long years,” said a resident Nagesh Shanbhag.
“The premises is ready to use but is not made operational and this is a waste of public money. People have been forced to use the present congested RTO office and have been facing various hardships. The government must intervene and ensure that the RTO moves to the new premises which is ready at the earliest,” Shanbhag added.
