60 MVD services to be Aadhar-OTP based from September 21
Services provided via the portals Vahan, which provides vehicle-related services, and Sarathi, which provides driving license-related services, will be made completely online
From September 21 onwards, a total of 60 additional Motor Vehicles department services will transition to Aadhaar OTP-based processing, as part of initiatives to curb middleman exploitation. Services offered through the Vahan and Sarathi portals, encompassing vehicle-related and driving license-related functions, will become entirely online.
Consequently, applicants will no longer be required to visit Regional Transport (RT) offices in person for the majority of their requirements, according to a department press release. Currently, only 21 services are accessible online. Previous complaints highlighted how middlemen were taking advantage of applicants, with the remaining services failing to implement robust OTP verification.
The new system aims to thwart schemes of intentionally delaying applications, followed by demanding bribes under the guise of expediting them. The Motor Vehicles department has solicited assistance from the National Informatics Centre and the Union Ministry of Surface Transport to finalize the online integration of the remaining services.
Software testing for this transition is currently underway. Upon implementation, applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. In-person visits to RT offices will be necessary solely for vehicle inspections, heir identification, and personal hearings. Slots for these purposes can be booked online via the Nammude Keralam portal.
For personal hearings, applicants can also participate via video conference using the V-Meet system on the portal. Individuals seeking technical support to submit applications can directly reach out to Akshaya, Common Service Centers (CSC), or RT offices. Verification through Aadhaar OTP is mandatory, except in cases where it fails, in which the applicant must appear in person to establish genuineness.
Automated vehicle inspection centers are slated to be established in all districts of the state, with three centers already operational in Kollam and Alappuzha districts.
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