Imphal, July 16: In a significant stride towards enhancing road safety and environmental compliance, the Government of Manipur, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), and the International Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT) signed a tripartite agreement on Wednesday for the establishment of Manipur’s first fully automated Vehicle Inspection & Certification Centre.

The state-of-the-art facility, to be constructed at Teramakhong in Imphal East district under the Lamlai Assembly Constituency, will be the first Automated Testing Station (ATS) in the state. The project is fully funded by MoRTH with an allocated budget of ₹14.25 crore.

According to Transport Director Khumanthem Daina, the I&C Centre will feature a two-lane setup—one lane for Heavy Motor Vehicles (HMVs) and another for Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs). The fully automated systems will assess a wide range of vehicle parameters, including brake efficiency, emission levels, headlight alignment, suspension performance, and chassis integrity. The aim is to improve roadworthiness, reduce human error in manual testing, and ensure adherence to national transport and environmental norms.

The initiative gains further importance in light of the Government of India’s notification (GSR 663(E), dated September 12, 2023), which mandates fitness testing for all commercial vehicles and LMVs through ATSs only. Currently, Manipur lacks such a facility, and fitness certificates are issued manually by district Transport Officers as an interim arrangement.

Authorities have hailed the project as a game-changer for Manipur’s transport infrastructure, especially with the state witnessing a rise in vehicular density and related safety concerns. Once operational, the facility will cater to both private and public vehicles and is expected to significantly enhance transparency, reduce accidents, and contribute to better air quality.

Construction work is expected to commence shortly, with project completion targeted within the next 12 to 18 months.