Himachal: No immediate ATS-only fitness checks in Kangra

A delegation of bus, taxi and truck operators met Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu at Kangra Airport on Thursday, raising concerns over the implementation of the Automated Testing Station (ATS) system for vehicle fitness checks.

Shahpur MLA Kewal Singh Pathania, who accompanied the delegation, said the CM took serious note of the grievances and assured that, for the time being, manual fitness testing for commercial vehicles would be facilitated through the Regional Transport Office (RTO) and Motor Vehicle Inspectors (MVI) in Kangra district.

The CM informed the delegation that the issue had been taken up with the Central government, highlighting the practical challenges faced by hill states like Himachal. Pathania also urged BJP MPs from the state to strongly raise the concerns of local operators at the national level.

The ATS system, mandated by the Centre to streamline vehicle fitness checks, has triggered concern among transporters, particularly due to limited infrastructure and accessibility in hilly regions.

In recent weeks, taxi operators across parts of Kangra and adjoining areas have staged protests against the mandatory shift to ATS-based testing. They said the lack of adequate testing centres forces them to travel long distances, leading to income loss and additional expenses. They also alleged that ATS centres were overcharging for basic compliance requirements such as fire safety equipment and mandatory markings.

Operators have demanded either the expansion of ATS facilities in the region or continuation of the manual fitness testing system until adequate infrastructure is put in place.

Several union representatives, including Vicky Pathania, Kartar Pathania, Mehar Singh Thakur, Mohinder Singh, Sanjay Sharma, Kartik Sharma, Kuljeet Rana, Nika Ram, Karma, Ashok Sharma and Kapil, were present during the meeting.