Pune-based Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) is implementing a project funded by the Ministry of Road Transport to launch an Inspection and Maintenance (I&M) regime in India for commercial vehicles.

The project, which will involve and expense of Rs 100-110 crore over a period of 18-20 months proposes establishing I&M lanes in ten states on a pilot basis. This will start in around four months’ time, Mr Shrikant Marathe, Director, ARAI said.

“Every vehicle will pass through 8-10 stations to check the various systems including brakes, emissions, electrical systems bringing objectively to what is being done subjectively today,” he said, adding that project will initially start with buses, trucks, LCVs and 3-wheelers.

The states that have been identified for the initial project are Karnataka, Maharashtra, NCR, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, MP and AP.

The move was necessary to check vehicles that came onto the roads prior to the present emission norms, and would help to clean up the air. “Countries in Europe have put into place an I&M regime 80 years ago, Mr Marathe said.

Meanwhile, the Society of Automotive Engineers India is organising the Asia Pacific Automotive Conference 16 in Chennai from Oct 6-8th. The three-day international conference will provide a comprehensive overview on Sustainable Technologies for smart and safe mobility.

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