Maharashtra gives nod to set up 6 Automated Test Stations for vehicle fitness certification
The ATS centres will conduct tests on numerous safety parameters, including brakes, suspension, headlamp alignment, emissions, and other elements significant to the performance of the vehicle. Vehicles older than eight years need to be tested under these fitness parameters at regular intervals.
The state transport department said, 'The transition to automated tests aims at enhancing the efficiency of checks and making sure only vehicles that are roadworthy remain on the road.'
The government will fix a uniform fee for conducting tests at the new centres, said an officer.
The development and operations contract of the stations has been given to Rosmerta Technologies Ltd on a Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) model. The cost of the project is Rs 109.15 crore and will be implemented within five years.
The company will install the stations on the state transport department's allotted land, run them for the concession period, and finally transfer them to the government.
The development comes following a directive by the Central Government under the Central Motor Vehicle Rules (CMVR) that fitness tests for commercial vehicles should be done solely at automated centres on a phased basis. The move intends to establish a uniform, transparent, and tamper-proof vehicle inspection system across the nation.
Currently, car fitness tests are done manually at RTOs, which raises issues about precision and uniformity.
The automated centres will produce electronic records of test outcomes that can be accessed by enforcement agencies as well as regulatory bodies. These records will facilitate tracking compliance and enhance road safety norm enforcement.
'These centres will enhance road safety by making vehicle fitness testing more precise, transparent, and accessible, especially in regions where such infrastructure has been limited. We commend the department for taking a proactive approach to improving compliance and roadworthiness across the state,' said Kartick Nagpal, president, Rosmerta Group.
These new ATS centres are part of a bigger plan to establish 21 such centres in Maharashtra.
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