The Transport Department has implemented a strict new system for issuing Fitness Certificates (FCs) to commercial vehicles. Under the new guidelines, fitness testing has been made completely digital and location-based to stop corruption. The authorities have launched the ‘mVahan’ mobile application which uses geo-fencing technology. This means that inspectors can no longer issue certificates from home or private locations; they must be physically present at the designated Regional Transport Office (RTO) for the app to work.
How does the new mVahan Geo-Fencing system work?
The new system is designed to ensure that the vehicle is actually present during the inspection. The National Informatics Centre (NIC) has developed this application with specific digital boundaries for all 66 RTO locations. If the inspector tries to open the app outside these boundaries, it will not function.
- Location Lock: The app only activates inside the mapped RTO area.
- Photo Evidence: Officials must click at least six photos of the vehicle from different angles.
- Geo-tagging: All photos and data are automatically tagged with the location and time.
- Central Approval: The final certificate is generated only after the system verifies the uploaded photos and data.
Why was this strict rule implemented?
This move comes after a major scam was uncovered where thousands of fitness certificates were issued without checking the vehicles. A senior inspector was found to have issued over 10,000 certificates in just a few months without conducting mandatory physical checks. To stop these “ghost” vehicles from getting approved, Minister for Transport Ramalinga Reddy stated that human interference had to be removed. Regional Transport Officers have also been asked to re-inspect at least 20% of the vehicles to ensure that the new rules are being followed strictly.
Traffic Updates for Commercial Vehicles in Delhi
While the mVahan geo-fencing system is currently a major update from Karnataka, Delhi is also tightening rules for commercial vehicles. The administration has prepared a 100-day roadmap to improve road safety and compliance.
- Automated Testing: Delhi is shifting towards Automated Testing Stations (ATS) to remove manual errors entirely.
- Strict Action: There will be intensified checking for commercial vehicles running without valid fitness certificates.
- Fuel Ban Enforcement: The ban on diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years remains strictly in force.
