Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday laid the foundation stone for the Union Territory’s second Automated Testing Station (ATS) at the DTC Nand Nagri Depot in northeast Delhi. The new facility, expected to be fully operational in the coming months, will have the capacity to test up to 72,000 vehicles annually—significantly boosting the city’s limited vehicle inspection infrastructure, TNN reports.
Currently, the capital’s only operational ATS is located in Jhuljhuli, southwest Delhi, with an annual capacity of under 48,000 vehicles. With around 4.5 lakh commercial vehicles in Delhi requiring annual fitness certification, the majority are forced to rely on testing facilities outside the city.
The project, estimated to cost ₹10 crore, is expected to generate at least ₹3 crore in annual revenue for the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC), according to officials.
Gupta noted that Delhi has more than 1.53 crore registered vehicles, including about 6.5 lakh commercial ones.
The upcoming facility at Nand Nagri will be fully automated and digital, with no manual intervention. It will have four dedicated lanes: two for heavy motor vehicles, one for light motor vehicles, and one for two-wheelers. The centre will be equipped for advanced testing procedures including emission checks, roller brake testing, suspension inspections, underbody checks, and headlight alignment.
Officials said the station will be capable of testing up to 20,000 two-wheelers annually. The government also announced plans for a third ATS at the DTC Tehkhand Depot in southeast Delhi as part of a broader push to modernise vehicle fitness certification in the city.
