Motorists in Maharashtra can now look forward to faster processing of smart cards for vehicle registration certificates (RC) and driving licenses, thanks to the efforts of the State's Transport Department. The department has implemented measures to address the prolonged delays in obtaining these cards. By utilizing modern machines, the department aims to increase the printing capacity to an impressive 45,000 smart cards per day at RTO offices in Nagpur, Pune, and Mumbai. Considering the annual demand of around 80 lakh smart cards in the state, this development is welcomed by motorists.

To enhance the efficiency of smart card production, the Transport Department has terminated its contract with a Hyderabad-based company responsible for supplying the cards. The contract has been awarded to Manipal Technology Company (MCT) in Karnataka. This change in supplier ensures a minimum daily supply of 45,000 smart cards to meet the demand. Transport Commissioner Vivek Bhimanwar expressed confidence in the improved process, assuring vehicle owners of timely receipt of their smart cards.

Vehicle owners can expect several benefits from the new smart card design. The cards have improved quality and come at a lower cost compared to their predecessors. Notably, the revised smart card format eliminates the need for a chip and is made from durable polycarbonate material. This ensures resistance to heat and guarantees longer-lasting performance. The key highlight of the new design is the implementation of laser engraving technology, which ensures high-quality printing of the vehicle owner's name and photo without any blurring.

As part of the improvements, the pricing for obtaining a vehicle license will be reduced to Rs 64, providing a cost benefit to motorists. Similarly, the fee for RC withdrawal will also be Rs 64, representing a significant decrease from the previous rates of Rs 94 and Rs 56, respectively. These revised fees aim to make the process more affordable and accessible for vehicle owners in Maharashtra.