ATS delay halts vehicle fitness checks in 11 Maharashtra districts

With no interim arrangement in place, transporters are travelling to other districts for fitness certification, increasing costs and logistical challenges

Transporters across Maharashtra are facing a major operational crisis as vehicle fitness certification has been halted in 11 districts since March 4 due to the unavailability of Automated Testing Station (ATS) machines.

Transporters have also raised concerns that some vehicles are either lying unused or operating without valid fitness certification, posing potential safety risks. (REPRESENTATIVE PIC)

The disruption has left thousands of vehicles idle, causing financial losses and stress for transporters, particularly those involved in essential services such as goods transport, gas supply, ambulances and school buses.

With no interim arrangement in place, transporters are travelling to other districts for fitness certification, increasing costs and logistical challenges. Despite repeated representations to authorities, including Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, no extension has been granted to continue the manual inspection system until ATS infrastructure becomes fully operational.

Transporters have also raised concerns that some vehicles are either lying unused or operating without valid fitness certification, posing potential safety risks.

Transport unions have begun documenting the impact and are urging members to share photographic evidence of grounded vehicles for submission to the state government. They have also warned of protests, including plans to park vehicles outside Regional Transport Office (RTO) premises in affected districts if the issue remains unresolved.

Baba Shinde, president of the Maharashtra Drivers-Owners and Representatives Federation, said, “Thousands of vehicles are stuck without fitness certification due to no fault of transporters. This is severely affecting livelihoods, and if immediate relief is not provided, we will be forced to intensify our agitation.”

Commenting on the issue, Swapnil Bhosale, deputy RTO, Pune, said, “Since March 4, this passing system has been stopped. We are in continuous touch with the head office and have requested permission to carry out the passing process through the old method until the new system is implemented.”