Visitors to Mantralaya, the Maharashtra secretariat, can look forward to a hassle-free entry from January 15 with the state government introducing an online registration facility.
Information Technology Principal Secretary Rajesh Agrawal said that as a pilot project, instead of waiting in queues for long hours outside Mantralaya for handwritten entry slips, citizens will be now able to make online entries from home and display printouts or the SMS containing their details and the barcode at the Mantralaya entrance.
“Instead of handwritten entrance slips, citizens can register online and display the SMS with barcode or printouts at the entrance,” Agrawal told PTI, adding that he had a detailed meeting with the home department officials to discuss the issue.
“We will enhance the police presence at the Mantralaya gates and have more than one counter so that citizens’ entry would take place in about 15 to 20 minutes rather than a three -to-four-hour long queue,” he said. According to him, a new link for the online entry would be made available on the state government website.
Citizens will have to fill their details online, take a print out and display it when they come to Mantralaya. A screen shot on their mobiles or the SMS received with the barcode will also be acceptable for entry,” Agrawal said. Apart from this, additional outlets for providing entry passes will be started from 10 AM. However, the entry will be allowed from 2 PM only, he said.