Pay the money, and the vehicle fitness is instantly ‘Okay’

Lokmat News Network

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

Vehicle fitness inspections conducted by Motor Vehicle inspectors at the RTO office premises in Karodi were stopped a month ago. The Automated Testing Station (ATS) - Vehicle Inspection and Certification (I & C) Centre developed at this location has also not started yet. Meanwhile, private fitness centres have begun operating in the district, and there are allegations that as soon as money is paid, a vehicle's fitness is declared ‘Okay’. Shockingly, inspections at these centres are being carried out without the presence of Motor Vehicle Inspectors from the RTO office.

At the beginning of the new year, an Automated Testing Station (ATS) Vehicle Inspection and Certification (I &C) Centre started functioning in Nashik district. As a result, fitness inspections conducted by Motor Vehicle Inspectors were stopped in six neighbouring districts, including Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. While there is still a wait for the RTO’s testing station at Karodi to become operational, a private fitness centre has started functioning on the Dhule-Solapur highway.

Who has control?

At present, the private centre appears to be operating without any control or supervision. The RTO office has not received any guidelines regarding private centres. Therefore, there is no oversight on how inspections are being conducted there. Transport department officials refused to comment on the matter. 150 Fitness Tests a Day, Instant ‘Appointments’ Around 150 vehicles are being given fitness clearance daily at the private centre, and instant ‘appointments’ are also provided. However, vehicle owners are startled on hearing the charges levied here. A video related to this is going viral. The centre management, however, claimed that only 60 vehicles are given fitness clearance per day and that no charges beyond prescribed rules are being collected.

Inspection as per Rules

“The centre is equipped with advanced machinery. Fitness inspections are carried out in compliance with all rules. This is the first private centre of its kind in Maharashtra”.

-Kishor Somvanshi, Manager, Private Centre

Photo

The private fitness centre started on the Dhule-Solapur highway.