E-permits to check autos with fake permit

In order  to crack down on auto-rickshaws running with fake permits in Bengaluru, the Transport Department is preparing to issue  e-permits, reviving  a plan that had been put on the  back burner for months.  

Officials had detected more than 25,000 auto-rickshaws running with fake permits in the city, prompting  the department to plan e-permit certificates. In January, the transport commissioner kick-started a pilot project to issue e-permits at the Shanthinagar regional transport office.  There was, however, confusion over the issuing of certificates to validate e-permits. While officials were of the opinion that the security paper needed to print the certificate would cost Rs 76 lakh, the department turned down the request, saying  the project was too costly.  

Officials had almost given up on the project when the department's technical advisory committee recommended funding the project.

"We have received permission to spend the money required for the e-permit project. Auto-rickshaws will soon get permit certificates," Transport Commissioner B Dayananda said.

An official said the certificate had special features to thwart attempts to forge or duplicate it. "We have held talks with Mysore Paper Mills, which has agreed to supply the required paper," he added.

Aadhaar must

Auto-rickshaw owners need to submit their Aadhaar number to enrol in the e-permit. Personnel from the National Informatics Centre will evaluate the number and issue the new permit. All RTOs in the city will have e-permit counters.

Officials said Transport Minister H M Revanna had instructed them to inaugurate the programme within a week before the model code of conduct comes into force.

It may be two or three months before all the auto-rickshaws in the city are  issued e-permit certificates. Thereafter, transport officials, along with traffic police, will set out to nab auto-rickshaws  running with fake permits.