Surathkal all set to get a new (KA62) RTO in next 2 weeks

Surathkal all set to get a new (KA62) RTO in next 2 weeks

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Feb 17, 2017: Four-years after CM Siddaramaiah announced setting up of seven new RTO, regional transport offices, including one at Surathkal near here, the RTO at Surathkal (KA 62) is set to become a reality.

This much awaited office of the transport department was cleared on  Feb 16, Thursday with Shivaraj B Patil, joint commissioner of transport, Shivamogga division inspecting the site for the proposed RTO near Nilgiris supermarket at Surathkal.

Incidentally, the six RTOs at Tarikere, Madhugiri, Ramanagar, Dandeli, Hubballi and Devanahalli have already started functioning and the Surathkal RTO could not take off due to various technical and administrative reasons. B A Mohiuddin Bava, Mangaluru City North MLA told reporters he has requested the minister for transport Ramalinga Reddy to inaugurate the office at the earliest and the minister has acceded to the request. "It may happen in next 20 days," he said.

Shivaraj Patil told media that to start with, around 30% of existing staff from Mangaluru RTO will be shifted to the new RTO. "The issue of sanctioning regular staff for the new RTO at Surathkal is at the final stages of clearance with the government," he said adding Ramesh Varnekar, deputy commissioner for transport and senior RTO, Mangaluru RTO could be given concurrent charge of the new office till such time that government appoints a full-fledged RTO.

With the appointment of new RTOs too in the final stages, fresh batch of officers could be posted to the newly opened RTOs at the earliest, he hinted. The new RTO will take care of needs of people of Mulki, Moodbidri and Surathkal, places where personnel of Mangaluru RTO (KA 19) earlier used to hold camps regularly, he said. The RTOs at Surathkal and Puttur (KA 21) will serve as additional secretaries to the regional transport authority of which DC is the chairman.