Jammu & Kashmir, India: The regional transport office of Kashmir reported that for the year 2022–2023, they collected revenue of Rs 313.47 crores, or about USD 30 million, representing an increase of up to 20% from the previous year.
The above statistics were presented at Reyaz Ahmad Sofi, Additional Transport Commissioner, organised meeting. All ten districts of the Kashmir division’s ARTOs and Kashmir also participated in the discussion.
According to the information provided, the entire revenue includes Rs. 237.45 crore from the token tax, Rs. 14.87 crores from licence fees, Rs. 9.41 crore from passenger taxes and Rs. 1.95 crore from motorists’ compounded fines for breaking various traffic laws.
The department noted a strong growth of 630% in 2022–2023, with particular attention paid to the passenger tax.
Reyaz Ahmad Sofi, the additional transport commissioner, congratulated the department’s officers and officials for reaching the 300-crore mark and urged all MVD Kashmir staff to strive even more in 2023–2024 to maintain this growth narrative.
During 2022–2023, it was observed that 64032 new automobiles were registered and 35018 new driving licences were issued. 62388 were renewed; 2174 new permits were issued, and 24420 were renewed;
Moreover, 6078 new fitness certificates were issued, 30875 were restored, and 7912 new vehicle transfer cases were successfully resolved throughout the financial year.
It was said that 106 commercial permits, 92 car registration certificates, and 55 driver’s licences had been suspended for various violations throughout the year.
Syed Shahnawaz Bukhari emphasised that the development of online services and payment systems has made collecting taxes and fees from drivers and fines for traffic violations easier and more efficient.
He also mentioned that Kashmir’s administration had strengthened road patrolling despite insufficient human resources.
According to Bukhari, the transportation department is succeeding thanks to smooth and transparent policies, and the agency will continue growing rapidly.
RTO Kashmir also stressed that smooth and comfortable public transport for residents will be arranged soon as it was the priority of their work. They noted that such a move will automatically reduce traffic issues in Srinagar and other valley towns, lessening traffic jams and accidents.