Mumbai: The state govt will set up 37 automated vehicle testing stations by Aug end. At present, seven such stations are operational. This was informed at a review meeting held at the CM’s residence on Thursday. CM Devendra Fadnavis directed that the fitness check of vehicles in the state should be done only through registered Automated Vehicle Testing Stations (ATS). For this, the work of setting up 53 ATS in the state is in progress, and these works should be completed immediately.There are currently about 4.3 crore vehicles in the state, of which 36.8 lakh vehicles are in the transport category. Of these, about nine lakh vehicles will need to undergo fitness tests every year. Fadnavis said the ATS system will increase accuracy due to reduced human intervention. Around 25% of the 214 centres in the country will be in the state. The cost of this project for five years of operation and maintenance is expected to be about Rs 1,035 crore, and a grant of Rs 337.7 crore has been received from the Centre. The meeting was attended by state transport minister Pratap Sarnaik, additional chief secretary of transport, Sanjay Sethi, transport commissioner Rajesh Narvekar and others. The Central Motor Vehicle Rules 62 has made automated fitness tests mandatory since April 1, 2025. The central govt has imposed phased restrictions on the ‘Transport/Vehicle’ portal access of some transport offices in the state due to the non-completion of automated vehicle inspection centres in the state. As this decision is creating difficulties for vehicle owners and transporters, Fadnavis asked the Centre to immediately restore the portal access, which the Centre has acceded to and lifted the restrictions.
