Transport services to move towards fully digital system; ₹1.5 crore and four Gypsies sanctioned for Sonbarsa Jungle Safari
TFP Bureau, Balodabazar, October 5, 2026: Transport Minister Kedar Kashyap on Monday inaugurated a newly constructed District Transport Office building at Parsabhader in Balodabazar district, with the State government announcing plans to further digitise transport services and establish a modern vehicle testing facility in the district.
Revenue Minister Tank Ram Verma, who was present at the inauguration, said the state-of-the-art vehicle testing facility would be launched soon. The facility is expected to save residents from travelling to other cities for vehicle inspections.
The two ministers inspected various sections of the newly constructed, fully equipped transport office and directed officials to give priority to public convenience and citizen-centric services.
Kashyap said the Transport Department was moving towards a fully digital system, which would allow citizens to complete essential transport-related procedures from their homes. He said the initiative was aimed at reducing the need for people to visit government offices for routine services.
More than 2.14 lakh vehicles are registered in Balodabazar district, he said, stressing the importance of compliance with traffic rules. He also expressed concern over schoolchildren driving vehicles and appealed to parents to educate them about road safety.
Highlighting the ‘Rahveer Yojana’, Kashyap said road accident victims could avail themselves of free and cashless medical treatment of up to ₹1.5 lakh under the scheme. He also noted that transport facilitation centres were functioning at five Primary Agricultural Credit Societies in the district and that 572 learner’s licences had been issued through these centres.
₹1.5 crore for Sonbarsa Jungle Safari
The event also saw approval for four new Gypsies for the Sonbarsa Jungle Safari and an allocation of ₹1.5 crore for beautification and infrastructure development at the safari. The measures are aimed at strengthening tourism facilities and supporting environmental conservation in the area.
Verma said the new District Transport Office had been completed in less than two years and described the facility as a modern addition to the district’s public infrastructure.
As part of the programme, free bus passes were distributed to 10 senior citizens aged above 80 years. Five vehicle owners received licences, while five drivers were provided helmets.
The ministers, officials and public representatives also planted saplings in the office premises under the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign, being conducted as part of the ‘Seva Sankalp Abhiyan’.
The programme was attended by District Panchayat president, former MLAs Shivratan Sharma and Pramod Sharma, State Vice-President of Bharat Scouts and Guides, Additional Transport Commissioner, Chief Conservator of Forests (Raipur Circle) Manivasan, Collector Kuldeep Sharma, Superintendent of Police, Divisional Forest Officer and other officials and public representatives.
