Mumbai, June 16: To improve access to transport-related services and address the growing demand arising from the state’s increasing vehicle population, the Maharashtra government has finalized the criteria for establishing new Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) and Sub-Regional Transport Offices (SRTOs), Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik announced.
The minister said the initiative is aimed at ensuring faster, more efficient, and citizen-friendly delivery of services. An expert committee appointed by the Transport Department has submitted its report to the government, and the process of granting in-principle approval to its recommendations is currently underway.
Under the new framework, residents of remote and rapidly expanding urban areas will gain easier access to essential services such as vehicle registration, driving licences, vehicle inspections, tax payments, and other transport-related facilities without having to travel long distances.
The government has set specific benchmarks for the establishment of new transport offices. These include vehicle population, regional population, annual revenue generation, geographical distance, and availability of infrastructure. A proposed office must cover at least four talukas, serve more than five lakh vehicles, cater to a population exceeding seven lakh, and generate annual revenue of over ₹100 crore.
Areas located more than 50 kilometres from an existing transport office will be given priority. In locations where a full-fledged office is not viable, the government plans to establish Automated Testing Stations (ATS) and Automated Driver Testing and Training Centres (ADTT) to ensure convenient access to transport services.
Sarnaik said the state government’s primary objective is to provide quality services to citizens in a timely manner. With vehicle numbers rising significantly across Maharashtra, strengthening the Transport Department’s infrastructure and administrative capacity has become essential, he added.
The minister noted that the new offices will help save time and reduce travel costs for citizens while improving administrative efficiency. The expansion is also expected to create employment opportunities at the local level. Technology-driven service centres, he said, will enhance transparency and efficiency in transport management across the state.
