COVID-19: STA Delegates Power To RTOs To Issue Special Permits To Vehicles In Odisha

Cuttack: The State Transport Authority (STA) has delegated the power to issue special permits for inter-state operations by stage/contract carriages to the RTOs considering the heavy rush to submit the application and prevailing COVID-19 situation.

An official order from the transport commissioner stated that there was heavy rush of bus owners and their representatives at STA daily to get special permits for interstate operation. In view of prevailing COVID-19 pandemic, it has become necessary to reduce the gathering in STA.

Henceforth, application for special permit for interstate operation will be filed at the RTO counter. The RTOs will issue the special permit on the same day as far as possible, the order stated.

The transport commissioner further stated that steps have been taken to make the process of application and issue of special permit online in VAHAN application. The online system will be rolled out shortly.

Stating that the application for special permit will not be received or processed at STA, the order said the delegation of power will continue to remain in force till the online system becomes operational.