Guwahati: The Assam State Transport Corporation/ Transport Department of Government of Assam in the presence of Transport Minister Parimal Suklabaidya signed an agreement for the establishment of four Automated Testing Stations (ATS) across the State of Assam namely Tinsukia, Jorhat, Biswanath and North Salmara on October 10.

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 duly signed by Rahul Chandra Das, the Managing Director, Assam State Transport Corporation and Hans Zaergen Schimpgen 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.

In line with this objective, 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.

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.

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. This ensures a sustainable approach to project funding and operation. Under this collaborative effort between the transport department, ASTC, and private firms like M/S India Iteuve India Pvt. Ltd. and consortium with M/s Applus+ ITEUVE TECHNOLOGY S.L.U, with this project ASTC will receive sustainable funding, promoting ongoing support for the initiative.

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.

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