Leh, March 6: Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory of Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta on Thursday inaugurated a fully automated driving assessment and vehicle inspection facility at Phyang, stating that the adoption of modern technology will strengthen road safety and ensure transparency in the transportation system.
The Lieutenant Governor inaugurated the Automated Driving Test Centre (ADTC) and Automated Testing Station (ATS), facilities designed to modernise the process of evaluating driving competence and vehicle fitness across the region.
Addressing officials and guests at the event, the Lieutenant Governor underlined the importance of periodic vehicle inspections for ensuring safe and environmentally responsible mobility. Drawing a comparison with human health, he said that just as people require regular medical examinations to maintain fitness, vehicles also need periodic inspections to ensure they remain roadworthy and do not contribute to environmental pollution.
The Automated Driving Test Centre has been established at an estimated cost of Rs 2.10 crore under the Special Development Package. According to officials, the centre will enable technology-driven evaluation of driving skills using sensors, cameras and advanced monitoring systems that operate without direct human intervention.
The Lieutenant Governor noted that the rapid evolution of automotive technology has increased the complexity of modern vehicles, making traditional manual inspection methods inefficient and time-consuming. He observed that manual processes are also susceptible to human error, while automated testing facilities ensure greater accuracy and efficiency during vehicle inspections.
He said that the automated system would allow quicker evaluation of driving performance and faster processing of test results, reducing waiting time for applicants seeking driving licences.
The Lieutenant Governor described the establishment of these facilities as an important development in Ladakh’s efforts to enhance road safety standards, improve transparency in the issuance of driving licences and vehicle fitness certificates, and encourage environmentally responsible transport practices.
Reaffirming the administration’s commitment to public convenience, he stated that the Union Territory administration is working to make the application process for driving tests and motor vehicle fitness certification more transparent, digital and accessible. He also informed that similar infrastructure will be developed in Kargil district to extend automated testing services to a wider population.
During the programme, a representative of WAPCOS Limited, the implementing agency for the Automated Testing Station, highlighted the objectives of the Voluntary Vehicle-Fleet Modernization Programme launched by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. The programme seeks to phase out unfit and polluting vehicles in a structured and environmentally responsible manner.
Officials also informed that under the ministry’s guidelines, all commercial vehicles—including heavy, medium and light transport vehicles—are required to undergo fitness testing at registered Automated Testing Stations from October 1, 2024. The regulation aims to eliminate human intervention in the inspection process and ensure factual reporting on vehicle fitness, with penalties applicable for non-compliance.
Senior officials present at the inauguration included Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra, Director General of Police Mukesh Singh, Administrative Secretaries Rahul Singh and Baseer-ul-Haq, Deputy Commissioner Leh Romil Singh Donk, Regional Transport Officer Ladakh Sonam Nurboo and officials from the Transport Department.
The occasion also saw discussions on expanding the frequency of driving assessments, strengthening vehicle fitness checks for heavy transport vehicles and improving public amenities at testing facilities, including drinking water and sanitation infrastructure.
