T’puram: As part of measures to prevent exploitation by intermediaries, 60 more services of the motor vehicles department (MVD) will be brought under Aadhaar OTP-based verification from Sept 21.Complaints had been raised that intermediaries were exploiting applicants for other services because there was no proper OTP-based verification. According to the department, applications were allegedly deliberately delayed, and applicants were then made to pay money on the promise of expediting them.The services offered through the Vahan portal for vehicle-related matters and the Sarathi portal for driving licence-related services will be made fully online. With the expansion, applicants will no longer have to visit regional transport offices (RTO) in person for most services.At present, only 21 MVD services are available without requiring the applicant to appear in person.MVD had sought the assistance of National Informatics Centre (NIC) and the Union ministry of road transport and highways to bring the remaining services online. Software testing for the new system is currently under way.Under the new system, applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Applicants will not have to visit MVD offices except for vehicle inspections, identification of legal heirs and personal hearings.Slots for these requirements can be booked online through the Nammude Keralam portal. Applicants appearing for personal hearings can also do so through a video call using the V-Meet facility on the portal. Another change is that applicants will not have to submit physical copies of online applications at MVD offices.Those who need technical assistance to submit applications can approach Akshaya centres or common service centres (CSC) or RTOs directly.If Aadhaar OTP verification fails, the applicant will have to appear in person once to establish their identity. Slots for tests for driving licences and conductor licences will have to be booked through the Sarathi portal, while slots for vehicle fitness tests will have to be booked through the Vahan portal.Automated vehicle inspection centres will also be established in all districts soon. Three such centres have already started functioning in Kollam and Alappuzha.
