Telangana Streamlines Permit Transfers for Scrapped Auto-Rickshaws Within ORR Limits
State transport officials have eliminated the mandatory fitness certificate renewal for old auto-rickshaws destined for scrapping. This policy shift facilitates smoother permit transfers for operators upgrading to modern CNG, LPG, or electric vehicles.
Bureaucratic Shift for Fleet Modernization
Transport Commissioner K. Ilambarithi has issued a directive to reform the permit and ownership transfer process for auto-rickshaws operating within the Outer Ring Road (ORR) boundaries. Previously, the department's CFST software mandated a valid Fitness Certificate (FC) for any transfer of registration or city permit. This requirement forced vehicle owners to pay for and secure renewals for aging units that were slated for immediate disposal.
Software Modifications and Compliance Controls
The policy change addresses specific grievances from the transport sector. Operators frequently purchase older LPG or CNG models solely to acquire the associated city permit, subsequently scrapping the old frame to make way for a new, cleaner substitute. The Transport Commissioner’s IT division is now tasked with adjusting the database to allow these transactions without an active FC status. To prevent abuse of this relaxation, the department has instituted a strict regulatory framework:
- Transferees must provide a legal undertaking confirming the vehicle will not be operated on public roads.
- The owner must acknowledge the expired status of the vehicle's fitness documentation.
- A mandatory three-month window is established for the physical scrapping of the old vehicle.
Local registering authorities hold the responsibility for tracking these timelines and ensuring that the scrapped status is recorded in the system. This move is expected to accelerate the transition to electric, CNG, and LPG vehicles by removing unnecessary financial and administrative barriers for individual operators.
Source: The Hindu — Home
