Jodhpur: Taking a strict stance on unfit vehicles plying on Rajasthan’s roads and the so-called “jugaad system” operating in the transport department in the name of fitness certificates, the high court’s principal seat here directed that from April 15, vehicle fitness inspections across Rajasthan must be conducted only through automated testing stations.A division bench of Justice PS Bhati and Justice Sandeep Shah stated that no new fitness certificates will be issued through manual procedures thereafter.The bench made these observations while disposing of various appeals recently filed by the state govt challenging orders passed by a single bench on Sept 25, 2025, which granted certain relaxations regarding fitness centres.During the hearing, the govt’s counsel submitted that while the govt was committed to implementing the automated system, it was facing operational and infrastructural constraints in enforcing it immediately across all locations.Taking these practical difficulties into account, the court granted the govt time till April 15 and directed that from this date onwards, the scheme will be considered fully implemented and must be enforced strictly.In its ruling, the court made it clear that if automated testing station (ATS) facilities are available only at limited locations even after April 15, vehicle owners will be required to visit the nearest centre to obtain the fitness certificate, and manual inspections will not be permitted on grounds of lack of facilities or distance.The court directed the transport department to give priority to processing applications already received for setting up ATS and to dispose of them within 60 days.It further ordered that decisions be taken by Jan 31 on all applications received on or before July 31, 2025.
