“We have asked the Union Telecom Ministry for a separate frequency. The entire process would cost over a lakh,” said state transport commissioner Deepak Kapoor. “In the initial stages, the wireless system would be fitted in the Mumbai Central, Wadala and Andheri RTO offices in the city limits, and Thane, Navi Mumbai, Kalyan and the transport commissioner’s office,” he added.

The RTO offices in the metropolitan region see maximum number of the vehicle registrations, and are connected through telephones — both landlines and mobiles.

The system at the RTO offices would work as the police wireless works. “The entire system has been devised for better connectivity amongst the RTO officers and to reduced dependability on the other means of communication like cell phones,” Kapoor said. “In case a truck or any other vehicle tries to flee the MMR after entering without proper permit and documents, our people would be able to inform each other over the wireless sets,” he said, adding that if the vehicle manages to escape, it can be intercepted in the neighbouring satellite cities.

The wireless system would especially be beneficial to the RTO during their campaign against erring auto rickshaw and cab drivers.