Pimpri-Chinchwad Regional Transport Office (RTO) has taken a significant step towards modernizing its services by introducing a new system of sending alerts via SMS to vehicle owners.

These alerts will cover issues such as overdue fines, taxes, and the renewal of fitness certificates. The initiative aims to simplify processes for vehicle owners, reduce the need for in-person visits, and ensure that they stay up to date on essential documentation.

In the initial phase, around one lakh vehicle owners will receive messages about pending fines. These messages will include a link that directs vehicle owners to an online platform where they can view the fines and take necessary action.

By allowing direct access through mobile phones, this new system aims to save vehicle owners from making time-consuming trips to the RTO office, enabling faster processing.

The introduction of SMS alerts is part of a broader effort to digitize and streamline operations at the Pimpri-Chinchwad RTO. Over the past few months, the RTO has been working on providing more online services to ease the burden on citizens.

Previously, vehicle owners had to rely on postal notices, which often led to delays. The new SMS system ensures that notices about pending fines, fitness certificate renewals, and other important updates are received promptly.

The new process is also expected to reduce the heavy footfall at the RTO, as vehicle owners can now manage much of their vehicle-related work remotely. This includes services like license renewals and obtaining choice numbers for vehicles, for which the online system has already been well-received.

Vehicle owners will now receive messages directly from the RTO under the name 'CP-RTOPCM.' These messages will provide a link through which the recipient can access information about their vehicle’s pending fines or overdue documents. The system offers support in both English and Marathi, making it accessible to a wider audience.

In the first phase, the focus will be on recovering overdue fines and taxes. As the system develops, additional notifications will be sent regarding renewals of fitness certificates and driving licenses.

"Previously, we issued notices through postal mail, which often led to delays. This new SMS service ensures that vehicle owners receive important notifications instantly. We believe this will help in streamlining our operations and assisting citizens more effectively," said Rahul Jadhav, Deputy Regional Transport Officer, Pimpri-Chinchwad.