Assam government to establish four Automated Testing Stations (ATS) in Tinsukia, Jorhat, Biswanath, and North Salmara.
The Assam State Transport Corporation/Transport Department in the presence of the Transport Minister Parimal Suklabaidya, formalized the signing of the Agreement for the establishment of four Automated Testing Stations.
These ATS projects will operate under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode and the Built, Own, Operate, and Transfer (BOOT) model, a collaboration between Assam State Transport Corporation/The Transport Department, Government of Assam and M/s ITEUVE INDIA Pvt. Ltd, in consortium with M/s Applus+ ITEUVE TECHNOLOGY S.L.U which is a stock listed company based in Spain.
The Agreement was signed by Rahul Chandra Das, the Managing Director, Assam State Transport Corporation and Hans Zaergen Schimpgen along with Dr. Satish Batra, President, Horizon Group, Germany, Rajnish Arora, Vice President, Horizon Group, India Office signed on behalf of ITEUVE INDIA Pvt. Ltd.
This initiative, led by the Assam State Transport Corporation and the Transport Department, Government of Assam, is the first of its kind in India on PPP (Public Private Partnership) mode and is designed to usher in a safer and cleaner future for the state. At its core, this venture seeks to introduce automated, state-of-the-art vehicle fitness testing, thereby reducing accidents and ensuring safer roads through minimized manual interventions.
The primary focus of these ATS centers will be on enhancing road safety by meticulously evaluating the roadworthiness of vehicles based on a comprehensive set of safety parameters. Cutting-edge automated testing equipment will be employed, aligning seamlessly with international best practices. This advanced technology-driven approach is pivotal to elevating vehicle conditions and mitigating road traffic accidents attributed to vehicular malfunctions.
Furthermore, these ATS Centers will play a significant role in managing environmental concerns related to vehicle emissions. They will diligently monitor and control vehicle pollution, thereby contributing to a cleaner and greener environment, as part of Assam’s commitment to eco-friendliness and sustainability.
Additionally, these ATS Centers will establish a comprehensive database that will serve as a valuable resource for informed decisions. This database will not only aid in efficient vehicle scrapping initiatives and End of Life vehicle management but also support critical schemes and initiatives. One such scheme is the development of vehicle scrapping facilities, promoting the responsible retirement of old vehicles and contributing to a cleaner and safer transportation ecosystem.
ASTC is currently undergoing a transformative phase, evolving from a conventional bus operator into an aggregator-based service provider. The earlier foundation laying of the I&C Centre and now signing of these ATS centers agreement mark a paradigm shift, reflecting ASTC’s commitment to more sustainable and environmentally friendly operations.
The funding for these ATS centers is driven by innovative models such as the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) and the Built, Own, Operate, and Transfer (BOOT) model. In terms of resource allocation, ASTC and the Transport Department, Govt. of Assam is contributing the land for these ATS centers, while private firms are funding construction, equipment, and operations. This strategic allocation of resources ensures long-term benefits and ownership, enhancing sustainability and accountability.
