Arvind Kejriwal, the Delhi chief minister, will launch the transport department’s ‘faceless’ services today (i.e. on Wednesday, August 11). Delhi transport minister Kailash Gahlot confirmed the launch earlier this week, saying that this unique initiative will allow citizens to apply for various transportation-related services, such as registering for a learner’s driving licence test, from the comfort of their own homes. People will be able to apply for and obtain various documents such as registration certificates without having to visit a motor licencing office (MLO), making the process essentially ‘faceless.’
However, the Delhi government’s “faceless” transportation services will not allow a person to apply for a permanent driver’s licence and a vehicle fitness certificate in the same way, confirmed transport minister Kailash Gahlot earlier this week.
“All services except permanent driving license and vehicle fitness are now faceless,” Gahlot was quoted as saying by news agency PTI, “…thereby meaning applicants don’t have to visit transport authority offices.”
With ‘faceless’ transportation services, Delhi will become the country’s first state or union territory to bring all transportation-related services online. According to government officials, it will allow people to save time and money by avoiding the need to physically visit MLOs. Maharashtra is said to be experimenting with a similar model.
Today, Kejriwal is expected to launch ‘faceless’ transportation services in Delhi from the IP Estate MLO, and online learning tests have already begun at the Sarai Kale Khan and Vasant Vihar offices. According to officials familiar with the situation, more than 50 people have received learning licences so far.
Kailash Gahlot, the transport minister of Delhi, was even seen congratulating on Twitter a resident who had given his learner’s license test online. “You are one of the country’s first to pass this facial recognition enabled E-LL test,” Gahlot said after congratulating the applicant. “Delhiites get true freedom from long queues.”
The Delhi transport department, for example, has been working on making certain essential services available online since February of this year. Duplicate copies of driver’s licences and registration certificates, as well as change of address, international driving permit, and transfer of ownership, were among the services offered.
