Bengaluru gets its first Automated Testing Station for vehicle fitness checks

The Transport Department has introduced Bengaluru’s first Automated Testing Station (ATS) in Nelamangala. These stations will replace the outdated manual inspections at RTOs with a more efficient system, which officials believe will reduce corruption and minimise the involvement of agents and middlemen in the fitness certification (FC) process.

“Vehicles brought to these centres will undergo automated testing, and the system will directly issue pass or fail certificates,” said an official. “The automation ensures greater efficiency, transparency, and accountability, eliminating human errors and subjectivity. It’s a major transformation in ensuring vehicle roadworthiness and safety across Karnataka.”

Key features of ATS

Automated machines will handle all checks, ensuring impartial results. They maintain detailed records of visual and technical checks, with results withheld until the final report is compiled. There are biannual audits to ensure compliance.

For private vehicles, the fitness certificate is valid for 15 years from the date of registration and must be renewed every five years after that. For commercial vehicles, it is valid for two years for vehicles up to eight years old and requires annual renewal after that.

Expansion plans

The Transport Department plans to establish ATSs in 13 additional locations based on the design, build, finance, operate, and transfer model at Devanahalli, Tumakuru, Kolar, Shivamogga, Davangere, Belagavi, Gadag, Ranebennur, Bagalkote, Vijayapura, Ballari, Bidar, and Yadgir, said the official.

In addition, automated vehicle testing centres based on the build-own-operate model are being developed at 19 other locations: East, West, South, and Central Bengaluru, Chickballapur, Ramanagara, Mandya, Chamarajanagar, Hassan, Madikeri, Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Chitradurga, Chikkamagaluru, Uttara Kannada, Kalaburagi, Raichur, Koppal, and Hosapete.

Published - November 28, 2024 07:08 am IST