Rs 4-Bn Deal to Establish Automated Vehicle Testing Stations

25 Jan 2025 CW Team

The Maharashtra Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has awarded a contract worth Rs 4 billion to Rosmerta Technologies for establishing 21 automated testing stations (ATS) across the state, which are expected to be operational within a year. This initiative is part of the state’s plan to enhance vehicle fitness testing, with a total of 41 such centres to be set up.

The Automated Fitness Management System (AFMS) will manage these centres, allowing citizens to book fitness test slots, access results, and download fitness certificates online. To ensure testing integrity, audits will be conducted every six months.

An official from the Regional Transport Office (RTO) explained that poorly maintained vehicles pose environmental and safety risks. He added that older vehicles, in particular, contribute significantly to air pollution, as they lack the advanced emission controls present in newer models that meet stricter emission standards.

According to the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, Section 56, transport vehicles must have a valid fitness certificate from the prescribed authorities or ATS to remain registered. Non-transport vehicles are also required to obtain a fitness certificate when renewing their registration.

Rosmerta Technologies, which has completed similar projects in Karnataka and other states, has tested over half a million vehicles at its operational centres. Kartick Nagpal, president of Rosmerta Technologies, mentioned that by utilizing cutting-edge technology, the company aims to assure vehicle owners and operators of compliance while contributing to road safety.

News source: Business Standard

Infrastructure Urban

05 May 2026

Meghalaya And Assam Hold Talks To End Transport Stoppages In Garo Hills

Meghalaya and Assam have opened talks aimed at ending recent stoppages of commodity transport in the Garo Hills, officials said. The deputy chief minister, in charge of home affairs, reported that both state governments are coordinating to resolve disruptions and to restore normal movement of goods. He acknowledged that misunderstandings may have contributed to the incidents and that clarification between administrative units is under way. The discussions are intended to produce practical arrangements that will allow consignments to move without hindrance while respecting local procedures. The..

Kochi Metro Records 1.375 mn Rise In Passengers In FY26

Kochi Metro recorded a marginal rise in ridership in the financial year 2025-26, carrying 1.375 mn more passengers than in the previous year. The service carried 36.8 million (mn) passengers in 2025-26 compared with 35.5 mn in 2024-25, representing a year-on-year increase of 3.9 per cent. The growth was described as distributed rather than concentrated in isolated spikes. A month-wise analysis shows steady gains across quarters. In the first quarter, ridership increased from 8.57 mn to 8.84 mn, while the second quarter rose from 9.13 mn to 9.51 mn. These trends indicated broad-based improvemen..

Ghaziabad Plans 16km Metro Link To Delhi Via Hindon Airport

Ghaziabad authorities are pursuing a 16 km metro link to Delhi that will run via Hindon Airport, and a detailed project report is under way. The plan is intended to improve connectivity between Ghaziabad and the national capital and to provide an interchange with the airport. Officials said the project is being studied to assess alignments, station locations and cost estimates ahead of formal approvals and tendering. The announcement follows the inauguration of the Delhi?Faridabad metro extension, which will offer hassle free travel for around 0.2 mn daily commuters between the national capita..