New Delhi
oi-Gaurav Sharma
Delhi is stepping up efforts to tackle air pollution by strengthening the system used to monitor vehicle emissions and fitness, with authorities identifying outdated testing infrastructure as a key gap.
Under the new approach, pollution-testing centres across the city will be upgraded and equipped with cameras to improve monitoring and bring greater transparency to the certification process. The move is aimed at ensuring that vehicles receive pollution certificates only after undergoing proper emission checks.
Delhi is enhancing its vehicle emission and fitness testing system by upgrading centers with cameras and launching Automated Testing Stations (ATS) at Tehkhand and Nand Nagri to ensure proper pollution checks and tackle air pollution as part of its clean-air strategy.
Authorities have also highlighted differences in the way commercial and private vehicles have traditionally been tested. While commercial vehicles were receiving fitness certificates through centres relying on older technology, private vehicle owners could obtain pollution certificates from testing booths located near petrol pumps.
To address these concerns, Delhi has opened Automated Testing Stations (ATS) at Tehkhand and Nand Nagri. The modern facilities are designed to carry out comprehensive fitness tests on commercial vehicles, with each station capable of testing nearly 72,000 vehicles annually.
The upgraded system is expected to make vehicle testing more technology-driven while strengthening oversight of testing centres. Camera-based monitoring could also help authorities track the testing process and discourage irregularities in the issuance of pollution certificates.
The broader strategy is being described as a 360-degree response to Delhi’s pollution problem, recognising that controlling vehicular emissions requires stronger monitoring, reliable testing infrastructure and stricter compliance.
With vehicles among the major contributors to Delhi’s air pollution, improving the certification system could become an important part of the city’s larger clean-air strategy.
The government has maintained that tackling pollution will require coordinated action across multiple areas rather than relying on a single measure.
“Pollution needs a 360-degree response. Together, we will find the solution. Delhi will win this fight,” the statement said.
