Nagpur: At a time when the central and state governments are emphasizing on zero road accidents, the posts of 23 Regional Transport Officers out of 28 are lying vacant for last couple of years. The apathy of Maharashtra Government could also be gauged from the fact that even the posts of deputy RTOs, which is considered as supervisory ones, at 20 different cities and towns are too unfilled, reveals state transport commissioners office in Mumbai in a RTI reply.The RTI reply of the transport department to autorickshaw union leader Vilas Bhalekar stated that only five full time RTOs are there across the state. Of the 23 vacant posts, Amravati RTO Rajabhau Gite is holding the charge of three offices including two of Nagpur district (city and rural), which have been lying vacant since February 2020 and August 2020 respectively. Nine deputy RTOs were holding the additional charge of RTOs.However, 12 RTO posts including Boriwali, Vasai, Solapur, Chandrapur, Akola, Jalgaon, Ahmednagar and Pimpri Chinchwad are lying completely vacant. Sources in the transport department said three deputy RTOs at Kolhapur, Nashik and Dhule cities were given the additional charge of RTOs without issuing any formal letters. Following which home department of Maharashtra government has served show cause notice to the office of transport commissioner. TOI possesses a copy of the show cause notice. Similar is the situation with deputy RTOs which are considered as supervisory posts are too vacant at 20 different offices including Nagpur city office. Here (Nagpur city) not only the post of RTO is lying vacant, even the lone post of deputy too is vacant since August 2022. Assistant RTO Harshal Dake is holding the additional charge of deputy RTO. Sources said Gite has been finding it difficult to oversee work at both city and rural offices. In such a scenario, city and rural cannot function full-fledged as he visits only once in a week or fortnight. Taking advantage of no supervision, most employees from all three offices in Nagpur — city, deputy RTO east and rural, come late, leading to work getting piled up.Vacant posts in the transport department have affected its smooth functioning, alleged Bhalekar. Citing an example, he stated that the wait for driving licence has increased manifold and so the work of permit and fitness of transport vehicles too remain affected. As a result, many vehicles without permits and fitness are plying on the roads across the state, alleged Bhalekar, president of Vidarbha Autorickshaw Drivers Federation. Transport commissioner Vivek Bhimanwar did not respond to TOIs call and text message.

Stay updated with all the Latest Nagpur headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.