Goa to have vehicle testing and certification centre

NT NETWORK

 

PANAJI

The state government on Thursday signed a memorandum of understanding with the International Centre for Automotive Technology for setting up a vehicle testing and certification centre at Farmagudi, Ponda.

Addressing media persons after signing the MoU, Transport Minister Ramakrishna ‘Sudin’ Dhavalikar said the proposed vehicle testing centre will be first of its kind in the country.

The facility will be set up under the public-private partnership model.

The Haryana-based ICAT has sanctioned Rs 25 crore for the Goa project, and the Germany-based Applus automotive firm will operate the vehicle testing and certification centre.

“The state government has decided to give 8,000 sq mt of land for setting up the centre at Farmagudi. In return, the transport department will get a monthly rent of Rs 1.20 lakh,” Dhavalikar detailed, adding that the centre will be ready within a year.

The ongoing practice of physical inspection of vehicles by RTOs will be stopped once the facility becomes operational.

A senior official of the ICAT M J Singh said the proposed centre will not only conduct inspections of vehicles but will also address pollution and safety issues vis-à-vis road transport.

Speaking on the occasion, Applus vice-president Hans-Jurgen Schimpgen said the new initiative by the state government will generate jobs, bring down road fatalities, and reduce traffic jams and black carbon levels in the state.

Transport director Nikhil Desai said the facility will inspect the vehicles in a scientific manner.

Transport Minister also informed that the proposal for setting up the driving licence issuance school on automated basis and the driving test track has been on the right track.

“The driving test track will be set up at Farmagudi on pilot basis. If it is found to be successful then such driving test tracks will be set up in every taluka,” he added.