The Delhi government, acting on a Mail Today report, has rid the transport department's office of touts and officials hand in glove with them.
The office in northwest Delhi's Burari, known as the vehicle inspection unit, is the Capital's only centre for issuing fitness certificates to commercial vehicles.
Not a single tout was in sight at the Burari vehicle inspection unit on Thursday
It was a different picture in July, when touts swarmed the place
A gang of touts counts its earnings
This newspaper on July 29 exposed how touts had overrun the place and, in nexus with officials, were helping drivers obtain fitness certificates for a price.
After the story was published, the state transport department has shunted out all senior officials, including two motor licensing officers (MLOs) and five motor vehicle inspectors.
Inspectors play a key role at the office as they are the ones who check whether a vehicle is fit or not.
The Mail Today investigation found that fitness certificates were being issued without inspecting vehicles.
The touts were charging Rs 5,200-5,500 from a driver to get a fitness certificate issued. Officially, a fitness certificate costs Rs 2,900.
Transport secretary R Chandramohan said the government started taking steps to drive out touts from the Burari office about a month ago. 'Senior officials were sent there for inspections. New officials were appointed. We have also simplified the procedure,' he said.
The changes were clearly visible when a Mail Today team visited the premises on Thursday. In July, this reporter was besieged by touts. But on Thursday, not a single tout was in sight.
Their entry inside the office premises has been banned. Not just touts, the entry of anybody other than drivers has been banned. A notice announcing the entry restrictions has been put up at the gate.
Even this reporter couldn't enter the premises till he identified himself. In a simplification of procedures, the department has also started issuing drivers a self-inspection sheet.
The sheet contains a set of fitness parameters for vehicles. Drivers are required to take their vehicles first to a garage and make it fit on all counts, as listed in the sheet, before taking their vehicles to the Burari office.
'It's actually a system of self- governance, where the owner gets the vehicle inspected on his own. It has reduced the burden on the department and increased efficiency,' said Anil Chikara, MLO, Burari inspection unit. Drivers, so used to touts, are a little surprised.
'I was surprised when I visited the office after a year. My truck had some problems like old tyres and improper suspension. But this time I was offered a form (inspection sheet). Officials told me to bring the vehicle in fine condition. I waited for two days as I had to send my truck to a workshop,' Sonu, a driver, said.
