Yashpal Suvarna, Udupi MLA, said on Monday that he will meet Byrathi Suresh, Transport Minister, and urge him to fill the vacant posts in the Regional Transport Office (RTO) in Udupi, as the office is facing an acute staff shortage, resulting in delays in providing services to the public.

When the MLA visited the RTO, officials informed him that a Senior Motor Vehicle Inspector is performing duties as the in-charge Regional Transport Officer. The post of Assistant Transport Officer is also vacant. Of the five Motor Vehicle Inspector posts, four are vacant.

Due to the staff shortage, vehicle owners are struggling to obtain fitness certificates for transport vehicles such as rickshaws, buses, taxis, and other commercial vehicles. There is also a delay in issuing driving licences, the MLA said.

Only two Motor Vehicle Inspectors have to inspect vehicles at the Transport Department office in Udupi for three days and, at the same time, visit taluk camps. The officials also have to inspect vehicles involved in criminal cases pertaining to 22 police stations in Udupi district, Suvarna said.

People are facing problems due to the lack of staff in the office, which aims to collect annual revenue of ₹312 crore for the State government, the MLA said.

Even after the creation of Brahmavar taluk several years ago, an RTO camp has not been started there due to a shortage of staff, despite repeated demands from rickshaw and taxi drivers.

Noticing that bushes had grown in the RTO office courtyard, the MLA asked officials to clear them immediately and maintain cleanliness in the office premises.

Published - July 27, 2026 06:40 pm IST