Maharashtra RTOs Begin Body Camera Training After 600 Devices Remain Unused Across 60 Offices

Mumbai, November 4, 2026: After a report revealed that body-worn cameras issued to Maharashtra's Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) were sitting unused for over two months, the Transport Department has initiated training for officials to make use of these devices. The primary objective is to enhance transparency during vehicle inspections and enforcement actions by making the process more transparent.

Two officials from each of the 60 RTOs, which received 600 cameras, are tasked with training their colleagues on camera usage. The training process was launched following an FPJ report on August 30 that exposed the unused cameras. Transport Commissioner Rajesh Narvekar ordered the initiative, and a letter was sent to RTOs on November 3, directing them to commence the training.

The first session is scheduled for November 4 at 11 am at the Navi Mumbai Sub-Regional Transport Office. Initially, ten RTOs in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region were chosen for the training, including Mumbai Central, Andheri, Wadala, Borivali, Thane, Panvel, Kalyan, Navi Mumbai, Pen, and Mira-Bhayandar. Each office is required to designate a Motor Vehicle Inspector and an Assistant Motor Vehicle Inspector to participate in the training.

Upon completion, these officials will serve as master trainers, instructing other staff on camera operation, functionality, and usage during enforcement activities. The department aims to integrate regular camera usage in enforcement work post-training completion, with the ultimate aim of increasing accountability in interactions between RTO officials and motorists, especially during vehicle checks and actions taken against traffic violations.

The significant issue that prevented camera usage was the lack of a storage system for recorded videos and a clear procedure for managing the footage. This uncertainty hindered the effective use of the equipment. The latest training effort aims to resolve operational gaps that kept the cameras dormant, but the actual deployment hinges on setting up a dependable system for storing and accessing video evidence when needed.