CM launches transport app

Patna: Chief minister Nitish Kumar on Thursday launched several new transport department schemes, including e-registration, online application system for driving licence, dealer point registration and online payment of road taxes and said the measures based on new technology will bring transparency in services.

Additionally, he launched “M-parivahan” mobile app that would provide various transport department services to consumers. It could also be operated on computers.

Nitish also flagged off 25 buses that would ply on two routes – Gandhi Maidan to Danapur bus stand, and Gandhi Maidan to Danapur railway station – and facilitate easy public commuting. Work for new “district transport office” buildings in 15 districts was also launched.

“Earlier, people had to do several rounds of transport department to get their work done. They will now get relief from it. The new schemes based on new technology will bring transparency into the services,” Nitish said.

The chief minister was attending a programme of transport department organised at Samrat Ashok Convention Kendra here in Patna.

Deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi, transport minister Santosh Kumar Nirala, home department principal secretary Amir Subhani, director-general of police K.S. Dwivedi, transport secretary Sanjay Kumar Agarwal and several other officials were present on the occasion.

Nitish, on the occasion, also launched the first batch of 70 aspirants at Institute of Driving and Traffic Research (ITDR), Aurangabad, established by Maruti Suzuki to provide training to drivers, and saw its model to get a grasp of training facilities.

“Imparting of training to drivers is an important aspect of road safety. They need to be trained. I often see them talking on mobile while driving. I feel even trained drivers should be given trainings in between to refresh their skills,” he said.

Pointing out that people do not follow traffic rules, indulge in unnecessary honking, have nothing to do with zebra crossing, Nitish recounted how during his Japan visit a couple of months ago, he saw vehicles stopping down if anybody was on zebra crossing to allow him to cross the road.

The chief minister asked officials to ensure that foot over bridges and under passes are built while constructing roads in Bihar, especially rural and populated areas. He also said directions have been given to build foot over bridges on which differently-abled people, cattle and farmers with equipment could easily move to cross the road.

Speaking on the occasion, deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi pointed out how transportation in Bihar has improved and revenue has grown from Rs 202 crore around 2005 to 1,624 crore in 2017-18.

“We were very happy when 1.47 lakh vehicles were registered in Bihar in 2006-07, but the figures have touched 9.50 lakh in 2017-18,” Sushil said.

The deputy chief minister also touched the issue of air pollution in light of the latest World Health Organisation (WHO) report in which Patna, Muzaffarpur and Gaya are among the most polluted cities in the country.

“Vehicular emissions play a big role in air pollution, though the WHO report is based on data related to PM2.5 particulate matter, that too old one collected in 2016. We have decided to facilitate pollution check and PUC certificate at petrol and diesel pumps.” Sushil said.

Sanjay on his part said the number of vehicles on Bihar’s roads have doubled in the last five years, from 35 lakh to 70 lakh, and added that this showed “economic development and availability of better roads in the state.”

Courtesy: The Telegraph