Mira-Bhayandar is set to receive a new sub-regional transport office (sub-RTO) following an approval granted by Maharashtra’s Transport Minister, Pratap Sarnaik. The decision has been made to improve accessibility to transport-related services for residents in the region, a part of which falls under the Ovala-Majiwada assembly constituency in Thane district.
A statement was issued by Sarnaik’s office on Friday, confirming that the new sub-RTO would be established as the 58th such office in the state. The announcement had been made on the eve of RTO Foundation Day, which is observed on March 1. It was mentioned that an official directive had already been issued by the transport department to facilitate the process.
The responsibilities handled by sub-regional transport offices include the issuance of driving licenses, inspection of vehicle insurance and fitness, execution of pollution control checks, collection of road tax, and allocation of personalized registration numbers. The new sub-RTO is planned to be set up on a plot that had been acquired by the state government in Uttan. By establishing this office, a significant convenience is expected to be provided to vehicle owners and drivers in the Mira-Bhayandar region, who previously had to rely on distant RTOs for these services.
The political journey of Pratap Sarnaik has been marked by his long-standing representation of the Ovala-Majiwada constituency, which he has been serving since its formation in 2009. Four consecutive terms have been completed by him as an elected representative. His career in politics had started with the National Students’ Union of India, the student wing of the Indian National Congress. Later, his affiliation had been shifted to the Nationalist Congress Party.
A major transition had occurred in 2008 when Sarnaik had joined Shiv Sena, where he was known to have developed a close association with Uddhav Thackeray. However, in 2022, a shift in political allegiance had taken place when Sarnaik had extended his support to Eknath Shinde during the internal rebellion within Shiv Sena. This decision had played a role in his appointment as a minister in the Mahayuti 2.0 government.
Mira-Bhayandar, which had been established as a municipal council in 1985, has since evolved into an important city in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). Its strategic location adjacent to Mumbai has led to rapid industrial development, and its comparatively lower cost of living has made it a preferred township for many. A part of this city has been included in Sarnaik’s legislative constituency, further emphasizing the significance of the newly approved sub-RTO for the local population.
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