In a significant stride towards modernizing vehicle inspections and fostering greater transparency, the Karnataka Transport Department is actively expanding its network of Automated Testing Stations (ATS) throughout the state. These state-of-the-art facilities are designed to phase out the traditional manual checks currently performed at Regional Transport Offices (RTOs), ushering in a fully automated, technology-driven approach to vehicle fitness.
Senior officials confirm that once these new centers are operational, every vehicle requiring a fitness certificate renewal will be mandated to undergo testing exclusively at an ATS.
Strategic Expansion Across 32 Locations
These crucial facilities are being developed under two models. Thirteen stations are being established via the Design, Build, Finance, Operate, and Transfer (DBFOT) model, with land already designated in key areas: Devanahalli, Tumakuru, Kolar, Shivamogga, Davangere, Belagavi, Gadag, Ranebennur, Bagalkot, Vijayapura, Ballari, Bidar, and Yadgir.
Furthermore, an additional 19 testing centers will be set up under the Build-Own-Operate (BOO) model. Tenders for these have been strategically clustered across various regions, including Bengaluru East, West, South, and Central, alongside Chickballapur, Ramanagara, Mandya, Chamarajanagar, Hassan, Madikeri, Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Chitradurga, Chikkamagaluru, Uttara Kannada, Kalaburagi, Raichur, Koppal, and Hosapete.
Minimizing Human Error and Boosting Fairness
A Transport Department official lauded this initiative as a monumental leap towards significantly improving road safety and instilling greater accountability in vehicle fitness assessments. “By automating the entire inspection process, we are effectively eliminating the potential for human error and subjective judgments. Every single stage of the test will be meticulously overseen by advanced machinery, guaranteeing absolute uniformity and fairness for all,” the official stated.
Operating strictly in line with the standards set by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, each ATS will objectively evaluate numerous critical parameters. This includes everything from braking efficiency and emission levels to wheel alignment and suspension performance – all without any manual interference. Vehicle owners will have the convenience of visiting any of these certified centers to acquire their fitness certificate, which will be recognized across the nation.
Ensuring Integrity with Data Storage and Audits
Officials further highlighted that the automated system is designed to securely store comprehensive data and visual records of every test conducted. This crucial feature ensures that individual results remain entirely confidential until the final assessment is officially generated, acting as a powerful deterrent against any potential manipulation or interference. To uphold the highest levels of quality and accuracy, each station will also undergo rigorous third-party audits on a bi-annual basis.
Karnataka took its inaugural step towards these digitized vehicle inspections with the successful inauguration of its first Automated Testing Station in Nelamangala back in 2024, paving the way for this widespread expansion.