ARTO Bandipora Under Fire Over Repeated Delays in Driving Tests

Bandipora, January 21: The residents of Bandipora are growing increasingly frustrated with the Assistant Regional Transport Office (ARTO) Bandipora as driving tests have been repeatedly postponed for over a month.

Since late December 2024, no driving tests have been conducted, and the scheduled tests have now been deferred for the fifth time this week, sparking widespread resentment among the aspirants.

Locals have expressed anger over the continuous delays, citing disruptions to their plans and accusing the ARTO office of negligence. Besides this, locals said they have not been guided properly by the officials in the ARTO office as they have rude behaviour with the visitors and don’t give satisfactory answers.

“I planned to travel to Delhi after completing my driving test in December, but the repeated rescheduling has thrown my plans into disarray,” said a frustrated local resident who studies in New Delhi. “I had to return to Delhi now and most probably will miss the test entirely due to the inefficiency of the ARTO officials and district administration in general”

Visitors to the ARTO office also complained about the rude behaviour of staff and the lack of accountability. “Before planning to return to university in Delhi, I tried to contact the ARTO office but officials in the office were so rude as if I had committed a blasphemous act by inquiring about the delay in the driving test,” he added.

“When we visit to inquire about the test schedule, the officials either ignore our concerns or give vague responses. Their attitude shows no regard for public inconvenience. They get irritated by asking questions as if they are not accountable to the public,” another resident said.

Locals urged the Deputy Commissioner to conduct a workshop for the officials so that they are sensitized and taught how to deal with people in office. “A special session needs to be conducted for officials and officers of ARTO Office for behavioural change and to teach them how to deal with the public politely,” urged the aspirants.

Several other visitors also confirmed the allegations of rude behaviour by ARTO officials. “Few Weeks ago, I was told my approved driving license couldn’t be printed due to a lack of cartridges and PVC material. However, my friend received his license the same day. I am convinced that he got it after paying extra money to get the DL but to me they lied,” he alleged.

Another person from Bandipora said that when he visited the concerned dealing assistant in the ARTO office regarding the printing of my vehicle documents, the concerned official surprisingly said he didn’t have papers available in the office.

“Later I came to know that the same had been dispatched for 10 days and the dealing assistant failed to give a satisfactory answer to my query,” he added.

In response to allegations, the ARTO Bandipora attributed the delays to the absence of a Driving Inspector, which has rendered the office unable to conduct tests. “Our inspector was transferred recently and no new replacement has been sent to the office that has forced us to postpone the tests”

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Bandipora, Manzoor Ahmad Qadri, denied receiving complaints about the issue but assured action. “I will look into the matter to ensure the problems are resolved promptly,” he told Kashmir Convener.

The ongoing delays and allegations of malpractice have prompted residents to demand immediate intervention from higher authorities to address the inefficiency and restore the ARTO office’s accountability.