Staff Reporter

Panaji

Doing away with the conventional manual method of conducting fitness checks on vehicles, the state government of Friday paved the way for automated and technologically-driven testing, eliminating human errors and subjectivity with the Automated Testing Station Policy of
Goa, 2024.

The policy, which aligns the state with the Central Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Rules, 2021, has comprehensive provisions for the establishment, registration, and regulation of Automated Testing Stations (ATS). At present, fitness checks are carried out manually at regional transport offices.

Additionally, the entire testing process, from booking to results, will be conducted online as per procedures established by the central government, with ATS operators mandated to submit daily reports to the Transport Department.

The policy will come into effect immediately and will remain applicable for an initial period of five years.

According to it, the Director of Transport will serve as the registering authority for issuing preliminary and renewed registration certificates to ATS operators, with fees aligned with the Central Motor
Vehicle Rules.

Applicants must apply for a Preliminary Registration Certificate through the National Single Window System portal to establish new ATS facilities.

An appeal mechanism has been instituted to allow dissatisfied parties to appeal decisions made by the Registering Authority to the Secretary of the Transport Department within 30 days.

Preliminary Registration Certificates are valid for one year, within which applicants must set up the ATS and apply for a final Registration Certificate
per central norms.

“The policy marks a paradigm shift in how we ensure vehicle roadworthiness and safety in Goa. By automating the fitness testing process, we eliminate human errors and subjectivity while prioritising transparency and accountability,” said a transport official.