Chandigarh’s ambitious plan for its first Automated Inspection and Certification (I&C) Centre for commercial vehicles has hit yet another roadblock, with the project now facing a significant fresh delay. The UT administration has pushed the operational deadline for the facility to March 2026, nearly seven years after its initial approval.
A History of Missed Deadlines
The project, which aims to take polluting and unfit vehicles off the road, has been plagued by delays since its inception:
- October 2019: The project was initially approved by the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
- Initial Deadline: The centre was first expected to be ready by December 2022.
- Subsequent Misses: The deadline has been repeatedly extended, missing previous targets including:
- March 2023
- December 2023
- March 2024
- March 2025
The initial setbacks were reportedly due to the late release of central funds.
Project at a Glance
| Feature | Detail |
| New Deadline | March 2026 |
| Location | Raipur Kalan, Chandigarh (approximately 3.5 acres) |
| Project Cost | ₹13.76 crore |
| Key Function | Automated testing of commercial vehicles for roadworthiness. |
| Target Vehicles | Commercial goods vehicles, taxis, public, and school buses after they complete their prescribed lifespan of 15 years. |
| Testing Mechanism | Zero human intervention, using the latest technology to check around 23 technical and environmental parameters. |
Focus on Road Safety and Air Quality
The primary objective of the Automated I&C Centre is to enhance road safety and mitigate air pollution. Currently, the fitness test for commercial vehicles is conducted manually, which leaves scope for human discretion and potential manipulation of results.
Once operational, the centre will ensure that commercial vehicles that have completed their 15-year period undergo a mandatory, rigorous, and automated check of critical parameters, including:
- Emissions (pollution check)
- Brakes and steering
- Tyres and suspension
- Indicators and lights
Vehicles that fail the automated roadworthiness test will have to be repaired to meet the standards or, in line with government policy, face condemnation and eventual scrapping.
Administration’s Assurance
Despite the long history of delays, senior officials from the State Transport Authority (STA) have stated that most of the construction work is now complete. The engineering department has reportedly provided assurance that the facility, which has been “hanging fire for 5 years,” will finally be ready by the newly set date of March 2026.
Owners of commercial vehicles will be charged an evaluation fee ranging from ₹800 to ₹2,000 per vehicle for the mandatory fitness test once the centre is functional.