Madurai is likely to become the first location in Tamil Nadu to host an Automated Testing Station (ATS) under a public-private partnership model. Similar facilities are also planned in Salem, Tiruvallur, Tuticorin, and Villupuram.
How the Automated Testing Station Works
The ATS facilities will automate fitness certificate renewals and emission compliance checks for both light and heavy motor vehicles. Using sensor-based testing systems, the process will significantly reduce human intervention in inspections.
According to officials, the new system is designed to eliminate the role of brokers and middlemen, such as brake inspectors, who often operate at Regional Transport Offices (RTOs). At the proposed ATS facility in Madurai South RTO, vehicles will undergo automated testing, and results will be generated digitally without manual inspection by transport officials.
“Vehicle owners will only have to complete document verification before handing over the vehicle for testing. The results will be uploaded directly to the VAHAN portal, and owners will receive pass or fail updates through SMS,” a senior transport department official said.
Testing Process in Automated Lanes
Under the system, vehicles will pass through multiple testing stations in automated lanes. The first station will check emission levels, exhaust noise, horn, speed governor, and speedometer functions. The second station will assess braking efficiency, suspension, and wheel alignment, while the final station will test steering angle, headlight alignment, and chassis condition.
“The combination of tests may vary depending on vehicle category and lane configuration, but all results will be generated digitally,” the official added.
Cost and Timeline
Currently, fitness inspections at manual centres cost between Rs 200 and Rs 600, depending on vehicle type. According to transport department tenders, automated testing charges at ATS facilities are expected to range between Rs 650 and Rs 1,050.
The transport department has allotted one year for construction and installation of the ATS facilities, followed by a 14-year operations and maintenance period under the concession agreement.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has fixed October 1 as the deadline for mandatory automated fitness testing systems across the country.
Expert Opinion
Transportation expert S Kamal said Tamil Nadu should adhere to the timeline, as mechanical failures in ageing vehicles continue to contribute to road accidents. “Government buses should be prioritised for automated fitness checks because public transport vehicles cover long distances daily,” he said, referring to the September 2025 Ranipet accident in which a tyre burst in a government bus injured 20 passengers.
