PULWAMA, AUGUST 11: Secretary, Transport, Avny Lavasa conducted a comprehensive day-long tour of Pulwama district today to inspect the ongoing construction of the Automated Testing Centre (ATS) at Pampore and review the operational functioning of the Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) Pulwama.
The visit forms part of the UT administration’s focused strategy to accelerate the development of critical transport infrastructure across Jammu and Kashmir.
Accompanying the Secretary during the field visit were MD SRTC, Abdul Rashid War, ARTO Pulwama Mohammad Shafait, General Manager RTC, Habibullah Reshi, alongside representatives from Rosemerta, the executing agency tasked with the project.
Project officials briefed the Secretary on key structural components, including the Administrative, Testing, and Security blocks. They reported that civil construction is entering its final phase and will be completed within 15 days, paving the way for the immediate erection of Pre-Engineered Building (PEB) structures.
Furthermore, all essential mechanical testing equipment has already been procured and will be installed as soon as the PEB setup is complete.
During the on-site inspection, the Secretary critically evaluated construction standards, inter-agency coordination, and operational readiness. Expressing strong concern over lingering project delays, she directed the executing agency to eliminate all bottlenecks and strictly mandated that the automated facility be fully operational by the first week of November 2026.
Later, the Secretary Transport inspected the ARTO Office in Pulwama, reviewing workflows across the Driving License, Permit, Registration, Accounts, and Establishment sections. Interacting with local staff, public delegations, and transport operators, she emphasized that hassle-free, transparent, and time-bound public service delivery must remain the primary mission of the department.
Evaluating digital service delivery on the Sarathi and Vahan portals, the Secretary directed officials to expedite the verification and approval of online applications, stressing that the goal should be to achieve zero physical footfall at government offices.
Addressing the media on road safety, she urged citizens to strictly observe traffic norms including wearing helmets, maintaining lane discipline, and avoiding mobile phone use while driving and issued a stern appeal to parents against allowing minors to drive, warning of strict legal penalties for violations (KDC)
