Dharamshala: A meeting was held in Dharamshala with representatives of various transport unions from Kangra district, where key concerns related to vehicle fitness testing were discussed with Deputy Chief Whip Kewal Singh Pathania.
During the meeting at the Circuit House, Pathania assured that the demand to continue manual fitness testing of commercial vehicles through RTO and MVI in Kangra district would be strongly raised with the Central Government. He also said that a meeting of taxi, bus, truck, and auto operators from Kangra district would soon be arranged with Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to resolve their issues.
Government Stand on Operators’ Concerns
Pathania said that the state government has already requested the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to allow continuation of manual fitness testing in Kangra district, keeping in mind the livelihood concerns of commercial vehicle owners and drivers.
He emphasized that the decision has been taken considering the practical difficulties faced in hilly regions, where transport systems differ significantly from plains.
Call for Political Support
He also urged BJP MPs from the state to raise the issue with the Central Government in support of the operators’ concerns.
Issue of Automated Testing Stations (ATS)
The Central Government has made it mandatory for vehicle fitness testing to be conducted through Automated Testing Stations (ATS). However, operators in Kangra district have raised concerns regarding implementation challenges.
Union representatives highlighted multiple difficulties related to ATS implementation during the meeting. Responding to this, Pathania assured them that their concerns would be considered sympathetically and taken up at the appropriate level.
