The Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development has instructed officials to conduct a formal investigation into the factors that have caused delays in the issuance of number plates and driving licences by the Department of Motor Traffic.

Accordingly, the committee directed officials to submit a comprehensive report within 45 days, detailing how the delays originated, the administrative and technical factors involved, and the relevant tender and procurement processes.

These instructions were issued during a recent meeting of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development held at Parliament, chaired by Member of Parliament S. M. Marikkar.

Inquiring into the delays in issuing number plates, the committee directed that a full investigation be conducted and a detailed report submitted, covering the underlying causes, when the issue began, the measures taken so far, and the relevant tender and procurement processes.

During the meeting, officials from the Department of Motor Traffic stated that number plates were being issued within 14 days for vehicles registered after March 10, 2026.

The delays in issuing driving licences were also discussed. Officials stated that there is currently a backlog of approximately 678,000 licences pending printing. As the daily printing capacity is limited to around 4,600 licences, the backlog continues to increase.

To address the issue urgently, officials stated that two new printing machines are expected to be installed by October 15, increasing the daily printing capacity to approximately 8,200 licences.

The committee emphasized the need to upgrade the necessary equipment and technical facilities to ensure efficient public service delivery, as well as the importance of establishing a systematic mechanism to prevent similar delays in the future.

Furthermore, the committee inquired into the department’s administrative efficiency, existing vacancies, measures to expedite procurement activities, and steps to prevent unnecessary delays in the delivery of public services.