The Hindu Business Line : Tamil Nadu transport offices to launch smart cards

System drive
Card to have updated data on driver’s license, owner, permits, other transactions.
Data cannot be erased, providing for permanent audit trail.
Centre’s aim is to have these cards operable between States.

R.Y. Narayanan

Coimbatore, Oct. 17 The Tamil Nadu Government has approved the launch of a pilot project for the introduction of ‘smart card system’ for driving licence, registration certificate and vehicle management system in three Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) in the State.

It has asked the Transport Commissioner (TC) to submit a report on the effectiveness of the system and recommendation for extending it to the whole of Tamil Nadu.

A Government Order issued by the State Home Secretary, Ms. S. Malathi, on October 10 pointed out that at present the driving licences were issued in laminated form by the licensing authorities with the assistance of Electronic Corporation of Tamil Nadu (ELCOT).

The Centre had recommended the use of microchip-embedded identification system in the form of ‘smart card’ that provided updated data relating to the driver’s licence, vehicle owner, permits and other transactions. The Government’s aim was that all States can adopt a similar technology and data structure on the smart cards so that they are ‘interoperable between States’.

Advantage points

The advantages of the smart card system was that in keeping with the national security requirements, it would capture and store the biometrics, photos, and signatures of the license/permit holder in an electronic form. While the data on the card could be updated, it could not be erased.

This process would provide for a permanent audit trail and prevented intentional tampering. The data was also digitally signed to prevent unauthorised access. The smart card system would have mobile hand-held terminals provided to enforcement officers of police and transport departments to enable quick access.

The Central Government had empowered the States to introduce smart card-based driving licences and registration certificates.

Business model

The State Transport Commissioner had suggested adoption of the Build Own Operate (BOO) or Build Own Operate Transfer (BOOT) business model for migrating to the smart card system. The operator selected could run the system for a period of 10 years.

The Transport Commissioner also suggested that the pilot project could be run in three areas — RTO-Chennai South, an urban area, RTO-Cuddalore in Villupuram Zone and RTO-Sivagangai in Madurai Zone (both rural districts). On the basis of results and experience gained, the card system could be extended across the State, he said.

GO elements

Ms Malathi, in the Government Order, said the Government should direct that the Smart Card System for driving license, registration certificate and vehicle management system be introduced on a pilot basis in these three RTOs.

The Transport Commissioner should submit a report on the effectiveness of the system, recommendations for extending it to the whole of the State, and its implementation in the three RTOs as a pilot study, she said.

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