Kohima: The Regional Transport Office in Kohima raked in 176.66 crore in revenue during the 2025-26 fiscal year. Cash flows in, but the office remains starved of basic resources. Regional transport officer Roben Mesen confirmed the department faces severe shortages in manpower, funding, and equipment.
Registration numbers hit 9,500 between January and September 2026. Owners pay a 6 percent tax plus 0.5 percent cess. Despite these collections, workers perform vehicle fitness tests manually. The district manages only one pollution-testing device for every local vehicle. Space is tight. Staff conduct road safety checks and driver tests on public streets because the current office lacks a designated facility.
The facility itself is failing. It lacks a conference hall, adequate parking, and boasts only one toilet for the entire staff. Mesen pointed out that a lack of clerical support hampers daily operations. He remains optimistic that a new office site near the Directorate of Social Welfare will eventually offer relief.
Safety programs continue despite these hurdles. The deputy commissioner heads the district road safety committee. AITP and regional taxi registrations remain frozen while the office waits for the Vehicle Location Tracking System. This will be a state first. Mesen said: "The introduction of VLTS would be the first of its kind in Nagaland." Local taxi permits stay stuck pending a new government transport policy.
Mesen warned motorists to mind the narrow roads and park carefully. He also pushed for license applicants to use the Parivahan portal to clear the backlog. The department holds out for more funding, but the wait continues.
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