Srinagar, July 26: Commercial transport operators across Jammu and Kashmir have alleged that delays in the rollout of Automated Testing Stations (ATS) have left thousands of vehicles off the roads, with fitness certification services suspended in several districts.
Transporters said access to the RTO’s Parivahan portal was revoked in eight districts—Kathua, Udhampur, Reasi, Srinagar, Pulwama, Budgam, Kulgam and Ganderbal—from July 1 as part of the transition to the new ATS-based system. However, they claimed the automated testing stations in these districts are yet to become operational.
According to representatives of the All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) and the Kashmir Transporters Welfare Association, the lack of a functional alternative has prevented operators from renewing mandatory fitness certificates and completing related formalities.
“We are caught in a complete freeze. The old portal is blocked, the new automated centres are not yet ready, and our livelihoods have come to a standstill,” a transport body representative said.
The transporters claimed that passenger buses and goods carriers across the affected districts have been unable to operate due to the absence of valid fitness certificates.
They urged the Transport Department to temporarily restore access to the Parivahan portal until the Automated Testing Stations are fully commissioned, saying the move would help clear the backlog and allow commercial vehicles to resume operations.
