JAC demands immediate opening of sanctioned RTO office

Kalyanadurgam – Andhra Pradesh: Residents of Kalyanadurgam urge authorities to operationalize the RTO office to address local transportation issues and curb illicit activities. On Monday, JAC called on RDO I Kishore and submitted a memorandum to prioritize the launch of Kalyanadurgam RTO office, sanctioned three years ago but still non-operational.

Pending RTO office causes hardships for residents

The RTO office sanctioned for Kalyanadurgam constituency nearly three years ago remains non-functional despite the recent appointment of an RTO officer and some staff. The lack of an operational office forces residents from over ten mandals, including Brahmasamudram, Kambadur, Kundurthi, Settur, and Gummagatta, to travel long distances to Anantapur district for RTO-related work or, in some cases, to Karnataka—a hundred kilometers away.

According to SC/ST JAC Taluka President Chellampappa, “The unavailability of a local RTO office is not only inconvenient but also a loss to the state government, as people are relying on Karnataka’s RTO services instead.”

State revenue loss and safety concerns

Due to residents seeking RTO services in neighbouring Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh’s state revenue suffers. The absence of local regulation also contributes to an increase in unlicensed drivers, resulting in frequent accidents and raising serious safety concerns. Chellampappa highlighted that most accident victims in the area lack proper licenses and insurance, exacerbating the impact on local communities.

Rise in illicit activities without RTO oversight

Community leaders pointed out that the absence of local RTO supervision has enabled the rise of illegal activities, including the transportation of sand, cattle, and liquor. The availability of liquor in nearby states entices unlicensed youth, leading to dangerous driving incidents that endanger lives and futures. These unlawful activities are occurring in part due to a lack of monitoring and enforcement from a local RTO office.

Fears of transfer and community backlash

There are concerns that certain officials may attempt to relocate the sanctioned RTO office from Kalyanadurgam to the Guntakallu division, a move that community members see as detrimental to the constituency’s development. “We urge the authorities to recognize the necessity of a local RTO office in Kalyanadurgam,” stated SC/ST JAC Taluka Committee leaders, including Dona Thimmappa, Chanamalli Thippeswamy, Nagaraju, and Narayana.

Community appeal for local RTO operations

The SC/ST JAC district leaders insist that the RTO office, originally sanctioned for Kalyanadurgam, should be made operational immediately to benefit the constituency’s residents. They emphasize that an operational RTO office will bring essential services closer to the people, reduce the prevalence of unlicensed driving, and enable local authorities to address illicit transportation activities directly.