Metro India News | Hyderabad 

In a significant development, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has instructed the immediate closure of all transport check posts across Telangana. The directive, issued on Wednesday, aims to eliminate physical barriers that have long hindered seamless vehicle movement, aligning with the central government's vision for a digital and efficient logistics framework.

According to a memo from the Office of the Transport Commissioner, all Deputy Transport Commissioners and District Transport Officers (DTOs) are required to shut down operations at check posts with immediate effect. The orders emphasize closing all activities, removing boards, barricades, and signage to ensure unobstructed vehicle flow. DTOs must personally oversee the removal process, displaying new boards in relevant languages announcing the closure and promoting online services for vehicle operators.

Furthermore, staff currently posted at these sites will be redeployed to respective Deputy Transport Commissioner offices, ensuring no personnel remain stationed at the check posts. All physical barriers must be dismantled, with the entire process video-graphed for compliance reporting. Records, furniture, equipment, computers, and movable assets are to be shifted immediately to DTO offices. Financial and administrative records, including cash books, receipts, and challans, must be reconciled and preserved. Officials are also tasked with issuing adequate public notices at the locations to avoid inconvenience to vehicle operators.

A compliance report confirming the closure, staff redeployment, record reconciliation, and inventory details must be furnished to the Transport Commissioner by evening, it was mentioned. 

This decision follows the Chief Minister's direct orders to the State Transport Department, which promptly issued implementation guidelines. The move is expected to utilize the services of check post staff for other official duties, marking a shift from traditional physical inspections to technology-driven oversight.

Central push for reform

The closure aligns with long-standing recommendations from Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, who urged all state governments to dismantle border check posts to reduce logistics costs and enhance efficiency. Gadkari emphasized transitioning to GPS-based toll collection and digital surveillance, eliminating the need for physical booths that often led to delays and corruption. This push gained momentum post the 2017 implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), which unified taxation and diminished the rationale for interstate inspections.

Originally established to regulate vehicle movement, ensure rule compliance, and collect road taxes, these check posts have become obsolete with advancements in e-surveillance and paperless systems. The central government views their removal as key to a transparent, efficient transport ecosystem under the 'Ease of Doing Business' initiative.

Other States lead the way

Telangana's action follows similar steps by several states. Immediately after the GST rollout in July 2017, 22 states—including Delhi, West Bengal, Gujarat, and Maharashtra—abolished their border check posts, leading to smoother truck movements and reduced transit times. By 2021, the Centre was seeking updates from remaining states like Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Bihar on progress.

Notably, Maharashtra announced the permanent closure of all its Motor Transport Border Check Posts in May 2025, affecting interstate traffic and redeploying resources to digital operations. State Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik hailed it as a step to ease commercial vehicle movement, reduce corruption, and align with GST and central directives. Transport stakeholders welcomed the move, noting significant benefits for the sector.

In Telangana, this reform is poised to boost economic activity by minimizing delays for commercial vehicles, fostering a technology-driven transport landscape. Officials anticipate full compliance by evening, paving the way for uninterrupted roadways across the state.