Prior to the installation, the Transport Management Office (TMO) at Ekantakuna used to distribute around 600 new licenses daily. However, the number doesn´t exceed 300 now. [break]
The CCTV to monitor motorcycle trial was installed at the ground of Sajha Yatayat, Pulchowk on July 19, while that for vehicle trial at Singha Durbar Plaza, Singha Durbar on July 21.
“The number of license we issue has decreased by 50 percent,” Harish Bhatta, Computer Officer at TMO said.
“Another factor that has led to the decrease in the issuance of new licenses is the decision in April this year regarding trial reappearance,” Kashi Raj Dhakal, Chief of Driving License at TMO said.
As per the decision, if a license seeker fails trail examination, she or he cannot apply for another trial for the next 90 days. For implementation of this decision, the Department of Transport Management (DoTM) has installed computer software at license office to monitor if applicants appear for trail before the 90-day time span.
The DoTM has the policy of keeping camera record for six months from the date of recording. CCTVs are installed at three places for observation; one on the spot, the other at Bhatta´s office and the third one at DoTM, Koteshwar.
“We´ve installed CCTV primarily to check irregularities and to be able to ensure transparency,” Bhatta said.
However, confusion prevails over the use of CCTV footage in absence of clear-cut guidelines. “We do not have clear directives regarding monitoring and there exists confusion regarding reviewing records,” Dhakal said.
Although the installed cameras record all day events, the monitoring unit stores only those that are important. “We record the ones that include trails and delete the rest,” Bhatta said. However, since the installation is in its first phase, certain changes are yet to be done to ensure effectiveness of the technology.
Dhakal said that they will install another camera at Singha Durbar Plaza and gradually to other places of the country. The office also plans to set up cameras at Pokhara and Lumbini for monitoring trial exams.
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