Parliament Question: Implementation of Automated Testing Stations for Vehicle Fitness

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 818 ANSWERED ON 23rd JULY, 2026 IMPLEMENTATION OF AUTOMATED TESTING STATIONS FOR VEHICLE FITNESS 818. SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR: Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government is aware of any challenges faced regarding the mandatory rollout of Automated Testing Stations (ATS) for vehicle fitness certification, if so, the details thereof; (b) whether the limited number of operational centres forces operators to travel long distances, causing financial loss and whether steep fee structures and high rejection rates for minor technicalities are unfairly penalising older commercial vehicles, if so, the details thereof; (c) whether any State Government has formally requested a temporary rollback or a hybrid model to re-enable manual testing alongside automated systems to prevent regional transit disruptions, if so, the details thereof; and (d) the corrective steps being taken by the Government to upgrade manual testing centres, subsidise ATS fees and ensure accessible fitness certification facilities nationwide?ANSWER THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI) (a) to (c) The Government in Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has formulated the Voluntary Vehicle-Fleet Modernization Programme (VVMP) which includes a system of incentives and dis- incentives to phase out older, unfit polluting vehicles. Under this policy, the Government has notified the rules for recognition, regulation and control of automated testing stations vide GSR notification 652(E) dated 23.09.2021 (as amended from time to time) to test the vehicles for fitness through automated equipment with minimum human intervention. A notification was issued vide GSR 709(E) dated 14.11.2024 (amending rule 62 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989) which provides for mandatory testing of Transport Vehicles through an Automated Testing Station, registered in accordance with rule 175 of the Central Motor Vehicle Rules 1989, from 01st April 2025. The responsibility of setting up of ATSs lies with the respective State Governments. As on 17.07.2026, there are 276 operational ATSs in 20 States and Union Territories. The number of ATSs has increased substantially in the recent past along with the geographical coverage : - Fiscal Year Total ATSs State/UTs with ATSs 2022-23 7 32023-24 52 11 2024-25 123 14 2025-26 195 20 2026-27 276 20 (till date) In accordance with rule 62 of the Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989,the Parivahan system access for Regional Transport Officers (RTOs)/District Transport Officers (DTOs), for conducting manual fitness tests and issuing fitness certificates has been revoked based on operationalisation of ATSs in a phased manner. States were also communicated that access to manual fitness testing at RTO may be reinstated based on request from the State with a time bound plan for operationalisation of ATSs. In view of the challenges/issues provided by the State governments and action plan provided for establishment of ATSs, timelines of revocation of manual testing were revised for the following States/UTs,i.e.,Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, Jammu & Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha and Ladakh. The request for hybrid mode of continuing manual fitness testing alongside ATS operations was sent by Government of Himachal Pradesh. Further justification and action plan has been requested from the State Government. (d) The responsibility of setting up of ATSs lies with the respective State Governments/ Union Territories.However,the Ministry has taken various measures to increase the access to ATSs nationwide, which are as follows:i. Eligibility conditions for owners or operators of ATSs were relaxed vide GSR 349(E) dated 08.05.2026, to increase the pace of setting up of ATSs. ii. To expedite the setting up of the ATSs, the process of application and approval is being done online on National Single Window System. iii. In order to expand coverage of ATSs, incentives were given to the States under the Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment from FY 2022-23 to FY 2025-26. The incentives were given based on achievements of various milestones by the States for setting up of ATSs. *****