Govt to establish 14 new automated testing stations in state

Bhubaneswar: The state govt has decided to establish 14 new automated testing stations (ATS) equipped with advanced machinery to assess vehicle fitness across all categories without human intervention.

At present, seven ATS facilities are operational in Odisha. At a recent meeting, transport department secretary NBS Rajput highlighted the strategic importance of ATS in strengthening vehicle fitness evaluation, enhancing road safety, and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.“The 14 new ATS will be fully owned and operated by the government. A proposal in this regard will soon be submitted by the state transport authority (STA),” read an official order issued by Rajput on Monday.

The secretary has also directed the STA to draft a policy framework enabling private players to set up ATS in the state. Currently, ATS operations are aligned with the Central Motor Vehicle Rules, ensuring transparent and objective fitness assessments for all vehicle categories — two-wheelers, three-wheelers, light, medium, and heavy vehicles, both commercial and private.Transport commissioner Amitabh Thakur stressed the role of ATS in eliminating human bias.

“Vehicle condition is critical to road safety. ATS ensures that fitness tests are conducted without human intervention, and reports remain factual,” Thakur said. Earlier, fitness certification and registration renewals were based on manual inspections. Allegations of manipulation in manual assessments prompted the government to introduce automated fitness testing in 2024 to ensure transparency and accountability.

“Our objective is to allow only roadworthy vehicles to operate. ATS plays a vital role in phasing out unfit vehicles that pose accident risks,” he said.Under the law, commercial vehicles must undergo fitness testing every two years for the first eight years, and annually or biennially thereafter. Private vehicles require fitness certification beginning 15 years after registration, with renewals valid for five years.

Section 56 of the Motor Vehicles Act mandates that every transport vehicle must hold a valid fitness certificate to be considered roadworthy.

Without it, registration or renewal is invalid. Driving a vehicle without a fitness certificate is a punishable offence, attracting fines up to Rs 5,000 for the first violation and Rs 10,000 or one year of imprisonment for repeat offences.