Manipur is set to roll out its first automated vehicle testing station, taking a decisive leap toward strengthening road safety and transport modernisation in the state. The facility, to be built in Teramakhong village under Imphal East district, marks a major milestone in bringing the state in line with national environmental and safety compliance standards.
The proposed station, formally referred to as an Inspection and Certification (I&C) Centre, will be developed under a tripartite agreement between the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), the Manipur Transport Department, and the International Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT). The project will be constructed under the Lamlai Assembly Constituency with a sanctioned budget of ₹14.25 crore, fully funded by the central government. Equipped with automated testing infrastructure, the two-lane facility will cater to both heavy and light motor vehicles. It will assess critical safety and emission parameters, including brake performance, suspension integrity, headlight alignment, exhaust emissions, and chassis stability. Experts familiar with the project noted that the fully digital process will eliminate manual biases and ensure greater transparency and reliability in the certification of vehicles.
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The development is aligned with the Centre’s recent mandate through notification GSR 663(E), issued in September 2023, which requires that all commercial and private vehicles undergo fitness assessments exclusively at automated stations. Presently, Manipur does not have any such testing centres, and fitness certifications are being processed manually by district transport officers as a temporary arrangement. Officials have indicated that once the new facility becomes operational, it will significantly reduce vehicle-related pollution, enhance commuter safety, and align the state with India’s broader green mobility mission. Additionally, the station will serve as a benchmark for other North-Eastern states aiming to modernise their road safety infrastructure.
Transport authorities expect the centre to act as a catalyst for a cultural shift in vehicle ownership and maintenance standards in Manipur, encouraging vehicle owners to maintain compliance proactively rather than reactively. The initiative is also anticipated to generate skilled employment in the region, thanks to the station’s need for qualified technical and support staff. Experts in sustainable mobility believe that the station reflects a strategic convergence of policy enforcement, environmental goals, and technological advancement. The move is expected to support Manipur’s aspiration to become a cleaner, safer, and more transparent transport state, contributing to India’s larger ambition of building eco-conscious and digitally-enabled urban centres.
As Manipur breaks ground on its first automated testing station, the spotlight is firmly on infrastructure that not only safeguards commuters but also serves the larger environmental and civic interests of the state. The project’s success could set a precedent for other emerging regions in India’s transition toward sustainable urban transport.
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