A proposal has been submitted to the Union Territory administration to set up three branch offices to the Transport Department to ease the congestion at the main office on 100 feet road.
According to sources in the Transport Department, three places on the borders of the region have been identified to set up the offices and the proposal has been submitted for the consideration of Chief Minister N Rangasamy.
A proposal for the setting up of one more branch office at Karaikal was also forwarded, they added.
At present the Transport Department Office is highly congested with an increase in number of applicants for registration of vehicles and issue of licences, sources said, adding that they felt it necessary to set up branch offices to decentralise some of its activities.
People from far off places, especially rural areas, have to come all the way to 100 feet road to get their licences, renewal of licences, tax payment, permits and high security number plates. Barring registration of the vehicles, other activities are expected to be held at the branch offices, once they are set up, the souses said.
Now, even the tests for issue of driving licences are done at the office at the 100 feet road and there has been a tremendous increase in the number of applicants.
Fitness certificate and four-wheeler test drives are being done at a place in Mettupalayam truck terminal.
The department is mulling to revive the issue of learners’ driving licences at the college itself.
Sources said the administration has been requested to fill the 33 vacancies at the earliest.
The Transport Department has already implemented computerisation of all its wings, yet the shortage in manpower has left it handicapped in rendering the services on time.