Pune transporters seek trial run of automated vehicle fitness tests at Dive Ghat

Transporters have urged Pune RTO authorities to conduct a 15-day trial run of the new fully automated vehicle fitness testing system at the Dive Ghat inspection centre before its scheduled rollout this week, citing concerns over potential technical failures. The automated system uses roller beds to independently assess braking, acceleration, and other mechanical functions, generating fitness reports without manual intervention. RTO officials say it will reduce human involvement, speed up inspections, and increase daily testing capacity beyond the current 400 vehicles. Transporters support automation but recall a similar machine installed at Alandi Road RTO five years ago that failed due to technical issues. They stress thorough testing is essential to avoid disruptions, while RTO officials confirm final preparations are underway and a new appointment portal has been launched.