MVD to set up Automated Vehicle Testing System

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The State Motor Vehicles Department will soon become the country’s first to launch an automated vehicle testing system of international standards.The testing system with German-made equipment would be launched in two locations in the state - at Chevayur in Kozhikode and Elayavoor in Kannur.“The trial run of the testing system at Chevayur was completed successfully. The works of the Elayavoor station is under progress and the trial run will be made next week,” said Transport Commissioner K S Balasubramanian.The new facility would help the department to inspect vehicles in a scientific and systematic manner, said Joint Transport Commissioner Alex Paul. “At present visual inspection and test run are the only components in vehicle testing. The new system will help us to examine the efficiency and wear and tear of the vehicle parts scientifically,” he said. However, there will not be any additional charge for the automated fitness test, he added.In the initial phase, only light motor vehicles would be tested with the automated facility. Three vehicles can be tested at a time, the officials said. The test has nine components with fixed points for each component. They include checking of brakes, suspension, alignment, sideslip, speedometer and headbeam. The fitness report of vehicles would be generated by the test lane computer.With the new system the Department also hopes to put an end to the complaints over manipulation in testing, said Alex Paul."The automated system is foolproof and there is hardly any chance for the inspectors to award fitness certificates to undeserving vehicles,” he said.The automated testing system is being installed at a cost of Rs 1.80 crore at each location. The inspecting officials were given training by German experts. The service of the experts would also be made available during the initial days of functioning, the officials said.The Department also plans to launch the facility in a couple of other locations in the state, including Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam and Thrissur, they said.