When will Gujarat have Vahan and Sarathi?

State is yet to launch the software, reportedly used across the country, to computerise workflow at RTO

DILIP PATEL

Gujarat is undoubtedly a frontrunner in investing money and utilising its resources for citizen-centric e-governance. However, it has failed to put in use important software — Vahan and Sarathi — developed by National Informatics Centre to computerise workflow at the Regional Transport Office (RTO).
The software, reportedly used by all RTOs across the country, is crucial as it maintains a database of citizens who have been issued driving licences and also keeps a record of registered vehicles in the state.
The Centre had issued a notification in 2002, directing all states and Union territories to introduce the software with a view to prepare a national database of citizens. Eight years on, Gujarat still lags behind in implementing the Center’s notification, said a source in the RTO.
“To launch the software, we need to introduce changes in our smart cards. We will have to first enhance the storage capacity of smart cards from 1.5 kb to 4 kb. Bharat Electrical (BHEL) will manufacture the required smart cards for RTO. We are planning to introduce the software across the state at the earliest,” said AB Gor, Deputy Director of Transport.
“The software is important from security point of view as it keeps citizens’ record. With terror perception looming large over the country, the database, prepared by the software, can be a crucial source of information. The system was implemented on pilot basis by Ahmedabad RTO but the officials only applied two modules of the software,” said the source.

VAHAN AND SARATHI

Vahan and Sarathi are application software for the use of Regional Transport Offices.While Vahan is for processing all transactions related to vehicles, Sarathi is for processing driving licence and related activities. Vahan is used to issue registration certificate, fitness certificate and permits. Sarathi is used to issues a learner’s licence, permanent driving licence and conductor licence to the applicant.