Will Manipur's First Vehicle Inspection and Certification Centre Enhance Road Safety and Environmental Standards?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Establishment of Manipur's first Inspection and Certification Centre.
- Facility to ensure vehicle roadworthiness and environmental compliance.
- Automated systems to enhance accuracy in vehicle testing.
- Significant investment of Rs 14.25 crore from MoRTH.
- Expected to reduce road accidents and improve air quality.
Imphal, July 16 (NationPress) In a groundbreaking initiative focused on enhancing road safety and adhering to environmental regulations, Manipur is set to launch its very first Inspection and Certification (I and C) Centre, commonly referred to as an Automated Testing Station (ATS).
A senior representative from the state’s Transport Department revealed that a tripartite agreement was formalized on Wednesday between the Union Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH), the state’s Transport Department, and the International Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT) to establish this facility.
According to a statement from Khumanthem Daina, the Director of Transport Manipur, the Inspection and Certification Centre will be located at Teramakhong Village No. 76-Tellou, within the Lamlai Assembly Constituency in the Imphal East district.
The centre is designed to include a two-lane system, one dedicated to Heavy Motor Vehicles (HMVs) and the other for Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs).
This project, fully financed by MoRTH with a budget allocation of Rs 14.25 crore, aims to ensure vehicle roadworthiness, promote eco-friendly practices, and enforce national safety standards.
As per a Union government notification dated September 12, 2023, it is now mandatory for fitness testing of all commercial and light motor vehicles to be conducted solely at Automated Testing Stations.
Currently, in the absence of such a facility in Manipur, fitness certificates are being manually issued by District Transport Officers (DTOs) as a temporary solution.
The forthcoming Inspection and Certification (I &C) Centre will come equipped with state-of-the-art automated systems to evaluate critical parameters such as brake efficiency, emission levels, headlight alignment, suspension performance, and chassis condition, as stated.
This facility is expected to enhance transparency in vehicle testing, lower road accident rates, and contribute to better air quality.
Once operational, the centre will serve both public and private vehicles and will be a crucial addition to Manipur’s transport infrastructure and regulatory framework, per the statement.