RTA chains GHMC's auto trolleys

• Permission denied as vehicle design does not match with the standards of the RTA
• Manufacturer M&M had taken permission only for the basic body but did not mention any specifications as designed by the civic body

Hyderabad: The proposal of Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) to introduce auto trolleys to collect garbage from houses has hit a major roadblock as the RTA has refused to register them as the design of vehicles does not match with the standard database of the RTA.

The GHMC apparently had bypassed the RTA before finalising the designs. According to RTA officials, the basic body prepared by the Mahindra and Mahindra (M&M) Company has permission to drive on roads but not with the carrier, which collects dry and wet garbage separately through modernised hydraulic machines. Officials claim that M&M has taken permission for the basic body but did not mention any specification as designed by the civic body.

The GHMC which had sent a team to Nagpur to study the garbage collection system there had given the design to Mahindra and Mahindra without consulting the RTA. The then GHMC commissioner Somesh Kumar had displayed the model vehicle at the CM’s Camp Office and had given his nod. Based on the approval of the GHMC, the manufacturer delivered 2,000 vehicles which were inaugurated by Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao on November 9. These vehicles are now lined up at Amberpet Police Lines.

An RTA official told The Hans India that the vehicles which where specially designed by the GHMC needed to be tested for safety norms. The specifications based on which the vehicles have been modified does not match with the database available with the RTA and hence they did not allot even the temporary number.

Temporary registrations would be given only after the RTA was convinced that it meets all the safety norms of the transport department, they said. The RTA officials further stated that they have asked M&M Company to submit the specifications of auto trolleys.