Govt takes registration route to streamline toto proliferation
The Statesman | 12 October 2025To begin with the registration process, the department is to start taking online applications from 13 October. Post application, the applicants would have to submit the required documents and get themselves enrolled with the state transport department.
After the registration, the applicants would be given a temporary toto enrolment number (TTEN) along with a QR scan code. On scanning the QR code, one would be able to get the details of the vehicle which would also have a number plate.
According to the transport minister, Snehasis Chakraborty, the applicants would have to pay Rs 1,000 for the registration. “After the registration, for the next six months, nothing needs to be paid. However, an amount of Rs 100 per month would have to be paid, which totals to Rs 1,200 yearly,” said the minister.
As reiterated by the minister, the registration process has been introduced mainly to bring some discipline among the toto operators who have been plying in large numbers, particularly in the districts and fringe areas while causing congestion in various cities like Howrah, Durgapur and so on.
“As there is no ascertained figure of the vehicles, the process would also give us an idea as to how many totos are plying on the roads in the state. After the registration and identification of the totos, the ways to operate them in a streamlined method would be decided. However, if the operators fail to register their totos within the stipulated time of 30 November, they would not be allowed to roll out their vehicles without a registration,” he added.
According to Mr Chakraborty, the registration would also enable identification of the illegal manufacturers of totos or the ones that are making assembled totos. “The department would also take strict action against such illegal manufacturers,” warned the minister.
To assist the operators get registered, the department would also hold camps at RTO level and provide help at Bangla Sahayata Kendra. With the registration, the drivers or operators would also be able to obtain insurance. However, for drivers, a driving licence would be mandatory for plying the vehicle.
