Maha govt allots 3-acre plot to Andheri RTO for brake tests

The Bombay high court had directed the transport department to conduct vehicle fitness tests on 250-metre long tracks at every RTO, to ensure vehicles are road-ready.

The state government has allotted a three-acre plot to Andheri Regional Transport Office (RTO) for construction of a track to conduct fitness tests of vehicles, in line with a high court directive.

The state government has allotted a three-acre plot to Andheri Regional Transport Office (RTO) for construction of a track to conduct fitness tests of vehicles. (HT File/Representational Image)

The allotted land is located near the Versova cemetery.

According to sources, the Andheri RTO is in the process of taking possession of the land from the Mumbai suburban district collector. “We can start vehicle fitness tests there once all procedures are complete and the test track is ready,” said a senior official, who did not wish to be named.

Andheri RTO, whose jurisdiction lies between Bandra and Jogeshwari, has been conducting vehicle fitness tests on the road behind Lokhandwala complex, which is risky for pedestrians and other vehicles.

The Bombay high court had directed the transport department to conduct vehicle fitness tests on 250-metre long tracks at every RTO, to ensure vehicles are road-ready.

Andheri is the biggest RTO office in Mumbai as more than 10 lakh of the 25 lakh commercial and transport category vehicles in the city are registered there. It includes over 5.5 lakh two-wheelers and 3.15 lakh cars in private category. Around 66,000 auto rickshaws, 23,000 tourist cabs, 8,500 black and yellow cabs, 3,100 delivery vans, 5,500 trucks and tempos, and 2,350 school buses are also registered under it.

It is mandatory for all commercial and transport vehicles to go through fitness tests annually.

The three other RTO offices in Mumbai are still struggling to get land for test tracks.

Borivali RTO has sought a three-acre plot at Aarey Colony in Goregaon (East), while Wadala RTO and Tardeo RTO have sought lands in Mulund and Worli, respectively.