Now, RCs, DLs to be available in smart card form with laser engraving in Chandigarh

The project by Registering and Licensing Authority will cost about Rs 5.5 crore. A tender in this regard has been floated, inviting firms to carry out this work. The new contract will be given for a period of five years.

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Training will be provided on various aspects including basic driving skills, following traffic signals and speed limits, how to drive during peak/busy hours, and awareness on understanding pedestrian safety among other factors. (Representational image)

Now, residents won’t face problems with pictures and text on their registration certificates and driving licenses fading away or breaking, as new smart cards with laser engraving system will be issued.

The project by Registering and Licensing Authority will cost about Rs 5.5 crore. A tender in this regard has been floated, inviting firms to carry out this work. The new contract will be given for a period of five years.

A senior official of the administration said that changes to the smart cards will be made before they land at the door step of the holders. “Usually RCs and DLs get cracks when they are folded. With time, letters or numbers written on it or the holder’s photo also fades away. However, these problems won’t persist with the new smart cards, as they will be made with laser engraving,” said the official. He added, “Around 200 cards (DL and RC) are issued on a daily basis.” In the year 2019-20, around 57,000 driving licenses and 96,000 registration certificates were issued.

The administration aims to enhance convenience of citizens by establishing, operating and maintaining a citizen friendly system using the VAHAN and SARATHI apps. As per the contract, the administration wants to induce efficiency and effectiveness in the transport department, along with ensuring time bound delivery of documents to citizens. “Minimising foot fall in the office for collecting documents and time bound delivery of the documents at door steps are some of the objectives we are looking at,” stated the official.

The agency that takes up the work has been asked to create an integrated information system that would ensure the availability of information anytime and anywhere. The scope of work for the agency includes supply of PVC smart cards including their printing and personalisation, providing related infrastructure, supply of manpower, enveloping of smart cards and handover for delivery to card holder.

Hina Rohtaki

Hina Rohtaki is a Special Correspondent at The Indian Express, based in Chandigarh. She is one of the most prominent journalists covering the Chandigarh Administration, civic issues, and the unique political status of the Union Territory. Professional Background Experience: She has been in the field for over a decade and is known for her investigative reporting on administrative waste and urban governance. Awards: She is a recipient of the prestigious Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award, which was presented to her by the President of India in January 2020. She was also awarded the Jethmalani prize (The Will of Steel Awards) in 2025 in the Empowerment category for a series of articles that highlighted the struggles of Covid widows. Core Beat: Her primary focus is the Chandigarh administrative structure, the Union Territory's financial management, and urban development projects. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent work highlights a focus on government accountability, administrative expenditures, and civic trends: 1. Investigative & Financial Reporting "Fuelling power: Senior UT IAS officers guzzled petrol worth Rs 30 lakh in 2 yrs" (Dec 14, 2025): An investigative report detailing the high fuel bills of top bureaucrats, including the Finance Secretary and Chief Secretary’s staff. "Admn spends Rs 1.5 crore on dismantling road railings and fixing again after increasing height" (Dec 8, 2025): Highlighting administrative waste on "non-viable" solutions for pedestrian control. "Chandigarh’s finances under ministry’s watch now" (Nov 27, 2025): Reporting on the new requirement for MHA approval for all new projects in the UT. 2. Governance & Constitutional Status "What will it mean for Chandigarh if it is brought under Article 240?" (Nov 24, 2025): An "Explained" piece on the potential constitutional shift that would grant the President more power over the UT's governance. "MP Manish Tewari moves Bill seeking directly elected Mayor with 5-year tenure" (Dec 6, 2025): Covering the legislative push to reform Chandigarh's municipal leadership structure. "No proposal to increase Mayor's term in Chandigarh by 5 years: Centre" (Dec 10, 2025): Reporting on the Union government's response to demands for a longer mayoral term. 3. Urban Infrastructure & Environment "Chandigarh admn cuts power to India's tallest air purifier, asks firm to dismantle it" (Nov 17, 2025): A critical report on the failure of a high-cost environmental project deemed "of no use" by experts. "UT rethinks 24/7 water supply project as costs soar" (Nov 26, 2025): Detailing the financial challenges and delays in modernizing the city's water network. "Centre 'obfuscating, covering up' MC's shifting deadlines for clearing Dadu Majra dump" (Dec 12, 2025): Reporting on the ongoing controversy surrounding the city's major waste dump. 4. Lifestyle & Local Trends "Chandigarh turns into a Thar city as women fuel the surge" (Dec 2, 2025): A feature on a unique automotive trend in the city, with a record 600 registrations by women drivers this year. "After fivefold spike in 2023, EV sales struggle to pick pace in Chandigarh" (Dec 2, 2025): Analyzing the slowdown in electric vehicle adoption despite previous surges. Signature Beat Hina is known for her meticulous tracking of RTI (Right to Information) data to expose administrative inefficiency. Her "Ground Zero" reporting on the Dadu Majra garbage dump and her scrutiny of the Chandigarh Smart City projects have made her a key figure in the city’s civil society discourse. X (Twitter): @HinaRohtaki ... Read More

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