The Maharashtra government has accelerated efforts to operationalise automated vehicle fitness testing infrastructure, with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis directing officials to complete 53 Automated Testing Stations (ATS) across the state at the earliest.
The directive came during a high-level review meeting held at the Chief Minister’s official residence, Varsha, where progress on the project and implementation timelines were assessed. The meeting was attended by Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik, Minister of State Madhuri Misal, senior bureaucrats, and representatives from the Automotive Research Association of India.
The move gains urgency as the state prepares to comply with revised provisions under Rule 62 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, which mandate that fitness testing for all transport vehicles be conducted exclusively through registered automated centres from April 1, 2025. This effectively signals the end of the conventional manual inspection system.
Progress uneven; completion timelines tightened
Officials informed the meeting that seven ATS centres have already been completed, while dozens remain under construction. Around 37 centres are expected to become operational by the end of August, though delays in execution have raised concerns. The Chief Minister instructed departments to improve coordination and remove bottlenecks to avoid further slippage.
The delay had earlier prompted the central government to impose phased restrictions on access to the Parivahan and Vahan digital portals for certain regional transport offices in Maharashtra. These curbs disrupted services for vehicle owners and transport operators. Following intervention by the state government, the restrictions have now been lifted.
Shift to automation aimed at reducing human intervention
According to officials, Maharashtra currently has about 4.33 crore registered vehicles, including nearly 36.8 lakh transport vehicles. Of these, roughly 9 lakh vehicles require annual fitness certification. The introduction of ATS centres is expected to streamline this process by replacing manual inspections with automated, computerised systems.
Authorities believe the new system will reduce scope for errors and discretion, while improving transparency and consistency in vehicle fitness assessments. The transition is also expected to align Maharashtra with national standards being rolled out across the country.
Significant investment with central support
The state plans to establish a total of 53 government-run ATS facilities, accounting for nearly a quarter of the 214 such centres proposed nationwide. The project is estimated to cost around Rs 1,035 crore over five years, including operation and maintenance expenses. Of this, Rs 337.74 crore has already been received as central assistance.
