CM lays stone for automated testing station at Nand Nagri

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday laid the foundation stone for a state-of-the-art automated testing station (ATS) at the DTC Nand Nagri Depot, marking a major step towards a safer, more transparent and technology-driven transport system in the Capital.

The fully automated centre will cater to lakhs of vehicle owners, particularly in East Delhi, by providing impartial and efficient fitness testing for vehicles.

Speaking at the event, CM Gupta announced that the Delhi Government will soon introduce ‘Pink Pass’ or ‘Saheli Card’, which will replace the current pink tickets for free bus travel for women. Women, who are residents of Delhi, will be eligible for the new card, aimed at enhancing ease and accountability in availing the benefit.

Addressing the city’s growing vehicular population, over 1.53 crore registered vehicles, including 6.5 lakh commercial vehicles, the Chief Minister emphasised the need for an impartial and digitised vehicle fitness system. “The new ATS will ensure transparency by eliminating human intervention in testing,” she said, adding that it would help curb pollution and improve road safety.

The Nand Nagri ATS will be housed in a pre-engineered 40mx26m building and feature four automated lanes — two for heavy motor vehicles, one for light motor vehicles, and one for two-wheelers. The facility will conduct advanced tests, including emission levels, roller brakes, suspension, underbody inspection and headlight alignment. It will have a testing capacity of 72,000 vehicles annually, including 20,000 two-wheelers.

The Rs 10 crore project is being funded under the State Capital Investment Special Assistance Scheme (SASCI), and the International Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT) has been roped in as the technical advisor to ensure compliance with global standards. The station is also expected to generate Rs 3 crore in annual revenue for the DTC.

CM Gupta also announced that another ATS would soon be built at the DTC Tehkhand Depot in South-East Delhi. She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to Digital India, Green India, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for smart urban mobility.

Delhi