The Hindu : Kerala / Thiruvananthapuram News : Machines to take over vehicle fitness checks

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Monday, Jun 06, 2011
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Kerala

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Machines to take over vehicle fitness checks

S. Anil Radhakrishnan

Computerised stations for Kozhikode, Kannur

The stations will ensure technically validated tests
Expression of interest invited for setting them up

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Computerised stations to test vehicles for grant of fitness certificates are set to come up, allowing the Motor Vehicles Department to phase out the manual tests and do more scientific and foolproof inspections.

The first such stations will come up at Chevayur near Kozhikode and Elavayoor in Kannur. Here, the motor vehicle inspectors will stop doing the routine visual inspection and the manual tests. Neither will they take the vehicles to the road to see if they are roadworthy.

At present, the decisions of the inspectors whether to issue the certificates or not are often criticised allegedly for arbitrariness and varying standards.

Official sources told The Hindu that the computerised testing stations would ensure technically validated tests.

The present manual tests include checking of the engine, clutch, gearbox, propeller shaft, universal joints, differential, road wheels, chassis frame, axles, exhaust pipes, handbrake, fuel and electrical systems, the steering system, lights, horn, and speedometer. When the new stations take over, the vehicles need not be driven on the road. Instead, a machine-aided driving can be done within the station.

Human element out

The human element in the tests will go, with the computers looking into the technical parameters, sources said. The roadworthiness of transport vehicles will be strictly evaluated. Road safety will improve as unfit vehicles will be weeded out.

The department has invited expression of interest for setting up the first two stations by providing a solution to supply, install, and maintain the equipment and software for the computerisation of the tests done on the parts by the motor vehicle inspectors. Those shortlisted will be invited to submit detailed technical and commercial bids for supply, installation, computerisation, and maintenance of the testing station on a turnkey basis.

The department has over two acres of land in its possession at Chevayur, while 90 cents has been identified for the station at Elavayoor. The work on each station requires over Rs.15 crore. Kerala figures among the 11 States chosen by the Centre for setting up such stations.

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