New Smart Card Format to Expedite Vehicle License and RC Issuance in Maharashtra
Pune, 26th May 2023: Thousands of motorists in the state of Maharashtra who had been facing long waiting periods for smart cards of vehicle registration certificates (RC) can finally breathe a sigh of relief.
The transport department has taken steps to expedite the printing process by utilizing modern machines, putting an end to the prolonged delays. With the help of these machines, the department aims to produce 45 thousand smart cards per day, facilitating the issuance of vehicle licenses and Vehicle Registration Certificates (RC). Notably, the new smart card format will not only offer better quality but also come at a lower cost compared to its predecessor. Vehicle owners can expect to receive the new smart cards starting from July 1.
The state transport department has terminated its contract with a Hyderabad-based company responsible for the supply of smart cards. The contract has now been awarded to Manipal Technology Company in Karnataka. The transport department will receive a minimum of 45 thousand smart cards daily.
For the first time this year, the department has centralized the printing of vehicle owners’ names and addresses on smart cards, restricting this authority to only three Regional Transport Offices (RTO) in the state: Pune, Mumbai, and Nagpur.
Key features of the new smart card include the use of laser engraving technique, ensuring high-quality printing of the vehicle owner’s name and photo without any blurring. Unlike its predecessor, the new smart card will not utilize a chip and will be made from durable polycarbonate material, rendering it resistant to heat.
The revised pricing for obtaining a vehicle license will be Rs 64, whereas the fee for RC withdrawal will also be Rs 64. This marks a significant reduction compared to the previous rates of Rs 94 and Rs 56, respectively. The introduction of the new smart card is expected to result in savings of Rs 30 for obtaining a vehicle license and Rs 8 for RC withdrawal.
With the implementation of three print machines at the Pune, Mumbai, and Nagpur RTOs, the state will be able to produce 45 thousand smart card prints per day. This boost in production capacity is highly significant considering that around 80 lakh smart cards are printed in the state each year.
Vivek Bhimanwar, the Transport Commissioner of Maharashtra, expressed his optimism about the new smart cards, stating, “Vehicle owners will now receive an improved form of smart card. Significant changes have been made, ensuring an ample supply of high-quality cards. This will eliminate the need for vehicle owners to endure long waiting periods for their cards.”
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