CHANDIGARH – The Punjab Transport Department is set to introduce Automated Testing Stations (ATS) across the state for evaluating the fitness and roadworthiness of heavy goods and passenger vehicles.
This initiative is aimed at addressing the current practice where vehicle owners often face harassment and discretion at the hands of motor vehicle inspectors. A senior government functionary confirmed that a stay on opening tenders for the testing stations has been vacated, and the process is now moving forward.
Officials confirmed that the ATS will evaluate the roadworthiness of commercial vehicles that have completed their stipulated lifespan. The system will check the vehicle’s technical quality and adherence to environmental stipulations.
The new system promises a major shift from the current manual process, which sometimes allows “poor vehicles getting road worthiness certificates.” The fully automatic process will test vehicles on 23 technical parameters using mechanical equipment, effectively eliminating human discretion.
Although the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways made fitness testing through ATS mandatory from April 1, 2023, the project had been delayed in Punjab due to litigation. The stations will cover:
- Taxis, goods vehicles, and buses that have completed their 15-year lifespan.
- Renewal certificates will be valid for two years for commercial vehicles up to eight years old, and one year for vehicles older than eight years.