Amid protests, Himachal seeks Centre's nod to continue manual vehicle fitness testing
The request comes in the wake of recent directives issued by MoRTH
Amid growing protests by taxi and private bus operators against the mandatory implementation of Automated Testing Stations (ATS) particularly in Kangra district, the Himachal Pradesh Government said, it has approached the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), to seek permission for continuing manual vehicle fitness testing for the time being.
“The state government has cited practical difficulties specific to hill regions and requested that the transition to the new system be deferred until it is fully streamlined,” said a government spokesperson.
In a communication sent to the ministry, he said, the government urged that commercial vehicles in Kangra district be allowed to undergo manual fitness tests through Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) and Motor Vehicle Inspectors (MVIs) to ensure uninterrupted public services.
The request comes in the wake of recent directives issued by MoRTH mandating that, from April 1, 2026, all vehicle fitness testing be conducted exclusively through ATS, eliminating manual intervention. As per the instructions, manual fitness testing and issuance of fitness certificates have been discontinued across all 14 registering and licensing authorities in Kangra district.
However, the state government has flagged concerns over the readiness and accessibility of the ATS infrastructure, particularly in hilly terrains. It maintained that an immediate and complete shift could disrupt transport services and inconvenience vehicle operators and the public alike.
The matter has been formally taken up with the Centre, seeking temporary relaxation in the rules in larger public interest. The proposal is currently under consideration of the ministry.
As per existing plans, the ATS facilities are being established through private investment in Kangra, Mandi, Bilaspur, Solan and Nalagarh, while government-run centres are coming up in Haroli (Una), Nadaun (Hamirpur) and Baddi (Solan).
Under the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, revised fee structures for vehicle fitness testing have already been implemented, ranging from Rs 400 to Rs 1,500 depending on vehicle age, along with applicable GST and state charges. Higher certification fee has also been prescribed for older vehicles.
Despite the new framework, transport operators across the state have been opposing the ATS-only system, demanding continuation of manual testing until adequate infrastructure and clarity is ensured.
