Government buses, transport vehicles will have to get fitness certificates at automated testing stations from October 1 – The New Indian Express

express news service

CHENNAI: The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has made it mandatory for all types of transport vehicles, including private and government buses, to obtain a fitness certificate (FC) through automated inspection stations from October 1, 2024. Ta.

According to a gazette notification issued on September 14, the Center has amended the Motor Vehicle Rules to enable state governments to issue FCs for transport vehicles.

According to the notification, vehicle fitness tests will have to be carried out once every two years for the first eight years and once a year thereafter.

It added that around 36 items of the vehicle will be inspected to issue the FC.

Currently, eight transit companies serve approximately 1.6 billion commuters each day and operate a fleet of 19,600 buses.

Most of these buses, especially those owned by MTC and TNSTC (Tirunelveli) corporations, are ‘overused’ with problems such as damaged seats, worn footboards, leaking roofs and broken glass windows. It had been.

“Tennessee operates the largest number of government buses in the country. The state government will soon take a policy decision to ensure bus services to rural areas are not affected,” said an official.

Two years ago, the union government made it mandatory for heavy goods vehicles to pass through automatic testing stations to obtain FC.

The deadline was originally set for April 1, 2024, but was extended to October 1, 2024 due to issues such as technology identification, space constraints, and operator reluctance. Most state governments have failed to set up testing centres.

The latest gazette makes it mandatory for all vehicles to obtain FC through automated inspection stations. As a result, the state Department of Transportation planned to set up 47 automated testing facilities owned by eight transportation companies.

Three testing stations are proposed to be set up at locations owned by MTC and eight testing stations will be set up at locations owned by SETC.

More centers will be established at six other public works and facilities owned by the Road Traffic Institute.

Transport Commissioner A Shanmuga Sundaram recently issued a directive directing regional transport authorities to promptly finalize the selection of suitable locations within their respective jurisdictions.

The directive states: “Regional officials, together with the managing director of the transport operating company and the director of the Road Transport Research Institute, should carry out an on-site assessment and submit a comprehensive report as soon as possible.” .

As of July 1, there were a total of 3.07 million autorickshaws in the state.

A section of motorists claim that this step will end bribery at RTO offices.

According to motorists, there will be a large number of vehicles that will not pass the fitness tests required for FC.

</p> <p>CHENNAI: The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has made it mandatory for all types of transport vehicles, including private and government buses, to obtain a fitness certificate (FC) through automated inspection stations from October 1, 2024. . On September 14, the Center amended the Motor Vehicle Rules to allow state governments to issue FCs for transport vehicles. According to the notification, the vehicle fitness test must be carried out once every two years for the first eight years and once every year thereafter. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2) ‘); }); It added that around 36 items of the vehicle will be inspected to issue the FC. Currently, eight transit companies serve approximately 1.6 billion commuters each day and operate a fleet of 19,600 buses. Most of these buses, especially those owned by MTC and TNSTC (Tirunelveli) corporations, are ‘overused’ with problems such as damaged seats, worn footboards, leaking roofs and broken glass windows. It had been. “Tennessee operates the largest number of government buses in the country. The state government will soon take a policy decision to ensure bus services to rural areas are not affected,” said an official. Two years ago, the union government made it mandatory for heavy goods vehicles to pass through automatic testing stations to obtain FC. The deadline was originally set for April 1, 2024, but was extended to October 1, 2024 due to issues such as technology identification, space constraints, and operator reluctance. Most state governments have failed to set up testing centres. The latest gazette makes it mandatory for all vehicles to obtain FC through automated inspection stations. As a result, the state Department of Transportation planned to set up 47 automated testing facilities owned by eight transportation companies. Three testing stations are proposed to be set up at locations owned by MTC and eight testing stations will be set up at locations owned by SETC. More centers will be established at six other public works and facilities owned by the Road Traffic Institute. Transport Commissioner A Shanmuga Sundaram recently issued a directive directing regional transport authorities to promptly finalize the selection of suitable locations within their respective jurisdictions. The directive states: “Regional officials, together with the managing director of the transport operating company and the director of the Road Transport Research Institute, should carry out an on-site assessment and submit a comprehensive report as soon as possible.” . As of July 1, there were a total of 3.07 million autorickshaws in the state. A section of motorists claim that this step will end bribery at RTO offices. According to motorists, there will be a large number of vehicles that will not pass the fitness tests required for FC.<br />