GURUGRAM: Getting a driving licence in the city should become a smoother and easier affair, after a new, single-window system — Saral — was introduced at the licence branch last week.Authorities appear to have taken cognisance of the chaos at the e-disha centre witnessed earlier, and implemented measures to streamline the system. However, a lot more needs to be done to smooth the system.On Monday, when TOI paid a visit in the afternoon, few people were seen standing in the office. The licence branch, which starts functioning at 9am, witnesses a snaking queue of people from early in the morning, ever since a system of token was implemented, in which 300 tokens are issued to those seeking either learners’ or permanent licences.“The TV screen which displays allotment of token numbers to counters, keeps getting conked off, meaning one has to go around and look at screens of each individual counter to know if ones turn has arrived,” said Sahil, who was waiting to get his learner’s license.According to officials, strict instructions have been given to make sure touts are not hanging around inside the branch. Last week, when TOI had visited the office, a number of people complained of touts and agents jumping queues to grab tokens. Following this, a security guard with gun has been placed, and touts have been given a stern warning, according to senior district administration officials.According to sub-divisional magistrate Sanjeev Singhla, there were some initial glitches after the Saral system was launched. “Issuing tokens took some time. Visitors also took time to get familiarised with the system, but now things are getting smoother. It will take some time to become normal, though,” he said.According to him, the hall, which houses the license branch, is also set to be expanded, so that the number of counters and seating space can be increased. “We’ve also requisitioned more electronic displays and other infrastructure, which should be upgraded soon,” he said.The city’s only driving licence branch was in complete chaos last year. Tempers rose , and arguments broke out between the officials and those waiting to get their licences, after the newly-introduced single window system, Saral, crashed. Several applicants were forced to stand for hours in a small, cramped hall to get their driver’s or learner’s licence.According to senior officials at the district administration, Chandigarh rushed the move, and the infrastructure in Gurugram wasn’t prepared to deal with it. “This could work for other small cities, but Gurugram has a larger footfall. There has to be a bigger waiting area and more counters to implement such a system,” said another official, requesting anonymity.

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