Manipur is set to launch its first Automated Vehicle Inspection and Certification Centre in Imphal East, aiming to enhance road safety, reduce pollution, and comply with national fitness testing standards. Fully funded by MoRTH, the Rs 14.25 crore facility will serve both public and private vehicles.
In a significant development aimed at modernizing Manipur’s transport infrastructure, the state is set to get its first-ever Inspection and Certification (I&C) Centre, also known as an Automated Testing Station (ATS). The centre is expected to play a pivotal role in enhancing road safety, ensuring environmental compliance, and bringing the state in line with national standards for vehicle fitness and emissions.
A senior official from the state’s Transport Department confirmed that a tripartite agreement was signed on Wednesday between the Union Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH), the Manipur Transport Department, and the International Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT) to establish the facility.
According to Khumanthem Daina, Director of Transport, Government of Manipur, the I&C Centre will be constructed at Teramakhong Village No. 76-Tellou, under the Lamlai Assembly Constituency in Imphal East district. The facility is designed to include a two-lane system, with one lane dedicated to Heavy Motor Vehicles (HMVs) and another for Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs).
The entire project is fully funded by MoRTH, with an allocated budget of Rs 14.25 crore. The initiative aligns with the Union government’s push towards automation and transparency in transport regulatory processes. As per the notification issued on September 12, 2023, by the Union Government, it has become mandatory for all fitness tests of commercial and light motor vehicles to be conducted at Automated Testing Stations only.
Currently, due to the lack of such a facility in the state, District Transport Officers (DTOs) have been issuing fitness certificates manually. This stop-gap arrangement will be phased out once the I&C Centre becomes operational.
The upcoming centre will be equipped with advanced automated testing systems designed to assess key vehicle performance and safety parameters. These include:
-
Brake efficiency
-
Emission levels
-
Headlight alignment
-
Suspension performance
-
Chassis condition
The automation of these assessments is expected to promote greater transparency, reduce human error, and improve public trust in the testing process.
More importantly, the establishment of this centre is expected to have far-reaching implications for road safety and environmental protection. Proper vehicle fitness checks will help reduce road accidents, ensure cleaner vehicle emissions, and thus contribute to better air quality in the region.
In a state like Manipur, which is striving to improve its transport and infrastructure systems, the establishment of an I&C Centre represents a major step forward. It marks the state’s integration into a broader national framework that prioritizes automated fitness testing over outdated manual procedures.
Once functional, the facility will serve both public and private vehicles. It will also reduce dependency on manual inspections, streamline vehicle certification processes, and ensure that only roadworthy and eco-compliant vehicles ply on Manipur’s roads.
The partnership with ICAT, a leading body in vehicle testing and certification in India, also ensures that the centre will be built and operated to national and international standards.
This move is part of a larger vision to modernize India’s transport system, improve regulatory enforcement, and make roads safer and more environmentally sustainable. As more states like Manipur adopt automated vehicle testing infrastructure, India moves closer to its goal of transforming into a more digitally empowered and environmentally conscious nation.
The Transport Department of Manipur, along with the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways and ICAT, is expected to oversee the construction and commissioning of the facility in a time-bound manner, ensuring that it is operational as early as possible.
| Also Read: Tripura Launches AI Workshop to Modernize Public Administration |
The I&C Centre at Teramakhong will not just be a testing station—it will stand as a symbol of progress, signalling Manipur’s commitment to safety, environmental responsibility, and technological advancement.
