RTO Uttarkashi

Uttarkashi, or the Kashi of the North, is as the name suggests a religious place for spiritual tourists and is as sacred as the Kashi of the plain (Varanasi). Its transport system handles thousands of pilgrims all over India and the world. The local RTOs are responsible for proper surveillance of the transport system by performing various routine functions.

The main functions of Uttarkashi RTOs are:  

• Issuance of vehicle registration certificate, temporary and permanent registration numbers
• Issuance of learner’s licence and permanent licence
• Renew driving licence and registration certificate
• Issuance of duplicate registration, duplicate driving licence and hypothecation certificate
• Keeping a record of traffic rule violations by registered vehicles in Uttarkashi
• Levying penalties for breaking traffic rules and regulations
• Issuance of vehicle fitness certificate
• Reformation and administration of new rules
• Issuance of international driving license
• Regulating driving schools in Uttarkashi
• Issuance of PUCC

The types of driving licence provided by Uttarkashi RTOs are:

• Two-wheeler driving licence: For two-wheelers without gear, or, with an automatic gearbox
• Light  motor vehicle driving licence: For geared two-wheelers and four-wheelers
• Transport vehicle licence: For passenger vehicles or goods-carrying vehicles

Uttarkashi RTOs provides 2 types of vehicle registration: 

1. Permanent Registration

2. Temporary Registration

After completion of the registration process, one gets a number for the number plate of the vehicle.

The list below mentions some of the charges that are involved in the registration process in Uttarkashi RTOs:

• ₹600 for registration of every vehicle
• ₹1200 to ₹1500 for temporary registration valid for up to 1 month
• ₹1500 hypothecation charges, If a vehicle is purchased on loan
• ₹600 FasTag fees that one has to pay on the purchase of a car
• ₹230 to ₹400 number plate charges

Uttarkashi RTOs follow Uttarakhand road tax system and norms. Here is a simple list portraying the scale: 

• Two-wheelers: 6% to 8% of the price of a vehicle (Under ₹10 lakhs to over ₹20 lakhs) 
• Four-wheelers: 6% to 8% of the price of a vehicle (Under ₹10 lakhs to over ₹20 lakhs)  
• Commercial vehicles: ₹1000 to ₹4000 (weight of the vehicle under 1 ton to over 5 tons)

Uttarakhand adopts the Motor Vehicle Act but has reduced penalties for some violations. Let's take a look at some of the fines and penalties here:

• Driving without a helmet: ₹500 (first time), ₹1500 (subsequent times)
• Rash driving: ₹1000 (first time), ₹5000 (subsequent times)
• Driving without a seat belt: ₹1000
• Using a mobile phone while driving: ₹1000 (first time), ₹5000 (subsequent times) 
• Overloading two-wheelers: ₹500 (first time), ₹1500 (subsequent times)
• Lacking safety equipment: ₹50000
• Disobeying rules regarding vehicle selling: ₹50000

It is mandatory to have a motor insurance while driving on public roads in Uttarkashi. This insurance provides cover for legal liabilities that can stem from an accident that involves damage to the driver to a third person or a third-party property.

Not having insurance can mean a fine of ₹1000 for two-wheelers and ₹2000 for four-wheelers and the fines double for the subsequent offence of this kind.

According to a 29^th January 2023 report, the monitoring committee of Bhagirathi's eco-sensitive zone published a report that pointed out that brazen tree-felling, road cutting, and muck dumping are causing such damage to the ecosystem that it is irreversible.

The committee has requested an inquiry to the state government into the role of the responsible officials in the PMGSY project.

According to the 26^th November 2022 interview, Mukesh Kumar Saini, Uttarkashi’s Assistant Divisional Transport Officer said that they conduct one or two road safety programmes each month to spread awareness among people. Books are delivered to each school and teachers are instructed accordingly.

Furthermore, in January they celebrated Road Safety Month which included more such road safety programmes.