Massive Vehicle Document Backlog Cleared in Punjab
The Punjab government has successfully cleared a staggering backlog of 4.34 lakh pending vehicle registration certificates and driving licences that had plagued vehicle owners across the state. The Punjab and Haryana High Court formally disposed of a public interest litigation on Wednesday after receiving confirmation that the massive document pile-up had been effectively resolved.
Court Proceedings and Government Response
During the hearing before the Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sanjiv Berry, Punjab's counsel Salil Sabhlok presented a detailed status report explaining the root cause of the crisis. The backlog was triggered by the "sudden exit" of the state's previously empanelled vendor responsible for printing RCs and DLs, creating an unprecedented situation for the transport department.
The state government swiftly implemented its contingency plan by initiating in-house printing capabilities. Subsequently, the printing work was officially awarded to two National Informatics Centre Services Inc (NICSI)-empanelled Government of India vendors, ensuring a systematic approach to resolving the crisis.
Breakthrough Achievement in Document Clearance
According to the affidavit submitted to the High Court, the printing of all pending cards has been successfully completed. As of October 31, the transport department had already dispatched 4,27,824 RCs and DLs to their rightful owners across Punjab. The remaining 6,176 cards are in the final dispatch process and are expected to reach vehicle owners within the next 15 days.
The bench specifically inquired whether the petitioner, Neha Sharma, who filed the PIL in April complaining about delays in receiving her RC, had finally obtained her document. The petitioner confirmed that her registration certificate was delivered following the first hearing of the case.
Judicial Resolution and Future Assurance
Recording the state's affidavit and the substantial progress made, the court declared that the grievance raised in the PIL "does not survive anymore." While disposing of the petition, the bench issued a clear directive to the Punjab Transport Commissioner to ensure the dispatch and delivery of the remaining 6,176 RCs and DLs within the next 15 days.
The case highlights how persistent legal intervention combined with government accountability can resolve administrative logjams that affect thousands of citizens. The resolution of this massive backlog brings relief to nearly half a million vehicle owners in Punjab who had been waiting for their essential documents for several months.
