Palghar, Maharashtra: In a significant development for Palghar district, State Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik has granted approval for the establishment of a new, independent Regional Transport Office (RTO) in the region.
The announcement was made by Minister Sarnaik at the commencement of a 'Lok Darbar' (people's court) held in Palghar today, with the assurance that the necessary government resolution regarding this will be issued within the next week. This decision will provide Palghar with its own RTO, separate from the existing one in Virar.
The Lok Darbar, organized by Minister Sarnaik at the District Collector's office, saw the minister address various concerns of Palghar citizens. Despite also being the Guardian Minister for Dharashiv district, Sarnaik emphasized his commitment to resolving issues in Palghar, a region with close ties to former Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
He outlined his intention to assess the effectiveness of state government schemes at the grassroots level and address the specific grievances raised during the forum.
The approval for the independent RTO comes after sustained demands and persistent follow-ups from the Shiv Sena's Palghar leadership, including the local contact person and district chief.
Minister Sarnaik expressed his determination to make the new RTO operational within the current month, with the formal government resolution expected to pave the way for swift progress.
End to Travel Woes for Residents
For years, individuals residing in Palghar have faced considerable inconvenience, often having to travel to Vasai taluka for essential vehicle-related services such as license approvals and renewals. The demand for a dedicated RTO within Palghar, utilizing state-allocated land, has been a long-standing one. The official approval has been met with satisfaction from auto-rickshaw driver and owner associations, who play a crucial role in the region's public transport system.
Surya Project Inspected, Water Concerns Addressed
During his visit, Minister Sarnaik also inspected the Surya Irrigation Project, a vital water source for the Vasai-Virar and Mira-Bhayandar municipal corporations, under the purview of the MMRDA. While reviewing the project, Sarnaik took a critical stance on the persistent water supply issues faced by Mira-Bhayandar residents.
Following the site assessment, he received updates on the project's timeline, with an anticipated completion within six months, promising improved water supply to Mira-Bhayandar.
Simultaneously, concerns were raised regarding the impact of water reservation from the Surya Project for other urban centers, leading to a reduction in the irrigation potential for Palghar's agricultural areas. Minister Sarnaik assured that the government would actively seek a viable solution to mitigate this concern.
"MH-59" for Palghar Vehicles
In a key announcement for the district's identity, Minister Sarnaik declared that the upcoming RTO in Palghar, situated on a 10-acre plot in Umroli near the district headquarters, will be assigned the distinct vehicle registration series "MH-59".
He shared detailed plans for the immediate future, stating that the Public Works Department will commence the construction of the RTO office building and dedicated testing tracks for both heavy vehicles and auto-rickshaws at the designated site within the current fiscal year.
