26 August,2026 09:05 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
The issue is particularly affecting cases involving differences in names, middle names and PIN codes. Representational Pic/File
Thousands of vehicle owners and transport operators across Maharashtra are reportedly facing difficulties in completing Transfer of Ownership (TO) applications on the VAHAN portal because of mismatches between Aadhaar details and vehicle registration records, an official statement said.
The issue is particularly affecting cases involving differences in names, middle names and PIN codes. Transport representatives say the delays are leaving commercial vehicles idle and causing financial losses to operators and businesses.
Bal Malkit Singh, Advisor and former President of the All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC), has urged the Maharashtra Transport Department to intervene and resolve the issue at the earliest.
Singh, who is also a former President of the Bombay Goods Transport Association (BGTA) and an Advisor to the Federation of Bombay Motor Transport Operators (FBMTO), said citizens should not be required to change accurate Aadhaar details simply to match incorrect information in the VAHAN or Registration Certificate (RC) records.
He said errors in government vehicle records should instead be corrected after proper verification.
The transport fraternity has raised concerns that vehicles unable to complete ownership transfers are being kept off the road.
For commercial vehicle operators, every day of downtime can mean lost income, while expenses such as loan repayments, driver wages and other operating costs continue.
Transport representatives also warned that prolonged delays could affect the movement of goods and place additional pressure on supply chains across the state.
Singh has suggested an interim mechanism to prevent genuine ownership transfer cases from remaining pending for extended periods.
Under the proposal, vehicle owners could submit a valid and authenticated e-Aadhaar along with supporting documents. Where necessary, an affidavit-cum-indemnity bond or undertaking could also be accepted.
After verification, the concerned authorities could correct the relevant VAHAN and RC records and allow the Transfer of Ownership process to continue.
According to Singh, such a mechanism would provide the Transport Department with a safeguard while reducing difficulties for vehicle owners.
Singh has appealed to the Maharashtra Transport Commissioner to convene an urgent meeting with IT officials and RTO authorities to address the issue.
He has called for a review or withdrawal of instructions on August 14 2026, particularly where citizens are being asked to alter Aadhaar details to match incorrect VAHAN records.
He has also sought acceptance of e-Aadhaar and supporting documents to establish the correct identity of registered owners.
The transport fraternity has called for a clear, statewide Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) covering name mismatches, middle-name mismatches and PIN-code discrepancies.
Other demands include immediate correction of erroneous name, address and PIN-code details in VAHAN and RC records, a time-bound online correction mechanism and faster processing of pending Transfer of Ownership applications.
Singh also urged the authorities to facilitate transactions involving vehicles that are currently stranded because of such discrepancies.
Singh said the purpose of faceless RTO services is to reduce physical visits to RTO offices, limit unnecessary human intervention and make government services more transparent and efficient.
He said technical or database discrepancies should not result in large numbers of vehicles being kept off the road.
The transport sector has urged the Maharashtra Transport Commissioner to treat the matter as a priority, warning that continued delays could increase financial losses and disrupt the movement of goods across the state.
