Lucknow Agra Kanpur Mirzapur Get Automated Testing Stations For Safety
In a decisive move to improve road safety and reduce vehicular pollution, Uttar Pradesh has expanded its network of Automated Testing Stations (ATS), granting approvals for four new facilities in Lucknow, Agra, Kanpur Nagar and Mirzapur. With these additions, the state now hosts 14 such centres, bringing a new level of transparency and efficiency to vehicle fitness checks.
Transport officials confirmed that the newly approved facilities have been set up under strict Standard Operating Procedures. The system allows a maximum of three stations per district to prevent monopolisation and maintain operational fairness. The latest centres, operated by different entities, are designed to provide impartial and fully automated assessments of vehicle health.These ATS facilities deploy algorithm-based technology, camera-enabled inspections and full data logging, ensuring that human intervention in testing is minimal. According to experts, this shift minimises the scope of error or manipulation that often arises in manual testing environments, thereby enhancing public trust in the system.
The expansion also reflects the growing urgency to address vehicular emissions across the state. Automobiles remain one of the largest contributors to urban air pollution, particularly in high-density districts such as Lucknow and Kanpur. Officials noted that automated testing ensures a more rigorous screening of vehicles, compelling owners to maintain cleaner, roadworthy cars and thereby supporting the state’s larger agenda of pollution control.Beyond the environmental angle, the move is expected to have a strong socio-economic impact. Safer and fitter vehicles reduce the likelihood of accidents on already congested highways, lowering the burden on emergency services and public health infrastructure. Moreover, a transparent, automated process also addresses longstanding public concerns over corruption in manual fitness testing, particularly in smaller towns.
The Transport Department has indicated that this expansion is only the beginning.
As urbanisation accelerates and more vehicles hit the road each year, officials are keen to roll out further centres in other regions. Industry experts believe that a robust, technology-driven fitness testing ecosystem is critical for building sustainable, eco-friendly cities in line with India’s net-zero ambitions.The initiative also positions Uttar Pradesh as a frontrunner among Indian states in adopting digital-first solutions for road safety. While the success of this system will depend on consistent enforcement and public compliance, the ATS expansion signals a clear policy direction towards sustainable mobility, cleaner air, and safer roads.
