Delhi to Build Second Automated Testing Centre for Commercial Vehicles at Nand Nagri

Key Highlights:

• Delhi will soon begin construction of a new Automated Testing Centre near Nand Nagri bus depot.
• The facility will test up to 72,000 commercial vehicles yearly and ease pressure on the Jhuljhuli centre.
• The project has a cost of ₹2.5 crore, with a projected annual revenue of ₹3 crore.
• Equipped with four testing lanes and modern tools like emission and brake testers.
• Delhi’s total vehicle testing capacity is expected to double once this centre becomes operational.

The Delhi Transport Department is ready to begin construction of the city’s second Automated Testing Centre (ATC) for commercial vehicles. This new facility will be near the Nand Nagri bus depot in northeast Delhi. Officials have confirmed that the foundation stone will be laid on Thursday. Once completed, the centre will have the capacity to test up to 72,000 vehicles every year.

Why Delhi Needs a New ATC

At present, Delhi has only one operational ATC located in Jhuljhuli. While this facility can test 2 lakh vehicles annually, it is not enough to meet the demand. Delhi has nearly 4.5 lakh commercial vehicles, including trucks, buses, and taxis, that require annual fitness tests. Due to the limited capacity at Jhuljhuli, many vehicle owners are forced to travel to neighbouring states for testing.

An official from the Transport Department said, “The Jhuljhuli centre is overcrowded. It often takes several days to get an appointment. That’s why many people prefer to get their vehicles tested in nearby states, which also means loss of revenue for Delhi.”

Key Details of the Nand Nagri ATC

• Location: Near Nand Nagri Bus Depot, Northeast Delhi
• Annual Capacity: 72,000 vehicles
• Estimated Cost: ₹2.5 crore
• Expected Revenue: ₹3 crore per year
• Construction Timeline: 2 to 3 months
• Testing Lanes: 4 lanes to test four vehicles at once

Advanced Facilities at the New Centre

The upcoming centre will feature modern equipment to carry out comprehensive fitness checks. These include:

• Roller Brake Tester
• Headlight Alignment Tester
• Speedometer Check Machine
• Steering and Gear Evaluation System
• Suspension and Side Slip Testing Units
• Noise and Emission Monitoring Tools
• Onboard Diagnostics Scanner
• Exhaust Gas Analyser
• Smoke Opacimeter

Separate testing sheds will also be built for visual inspections, electrical checks, and emission testing.

Boost to Delhi’s Vehicle Testing System

The new Nand Nagri facility is part of a broader plan to modernize Delhi’s transport infrastructure. The Union government has made it mandatory for every state to set up automated fitness testing centres to issue permits for commercial vehicles. The pressure on the single Jhuljhuli ATC has led to delays and inconvenience, pushing Delhi to expand its testing network.

Additionally, the manual testing centre at Burari is being upgraded to automated standards. With both facilities in place, Delhi’s vehicle testing capacity will nearly double, reducing the backlog significantly.

Fitness Test Rules and Costs

As per the rules:

• Commercial vehicles must undergo a fitness test every 2 to 8 years initially, and then once every year.
• Private vehicles need to be tested after completing 15 years from registration.
• Testing costs vary from ₹500 to ₹1,500 depending on the vehicle type.
• Vehicles that fail the test are prohibited from operating on public roads.

Also Read: PM E-DRIVE Scheme: Government Rolls Out Subsidy Plan for Electric Trucks

CMV360 Says

The launch of the new ATC is expected to ease the testing process for commercial vehicle owners and reduce long waiting periods. It will also help Delhi retain more revenue by reducing the number of vehicles being tested in other states. By strengthening its vehicle fitness testing framework, Delhi aims to promote road safety, cut emissions, and improve compliance.