Ladakh News
Secretary Transport Visits ADTC and ATS Phyang; Reviews Progress and Operational Readiness Leh, 25 April 2025: In a significant step towards the modernisation of transport infrastructure in the Union Territory of Ladakh, Secretary Transport, Shri Bhupesh Chaudhary, IAS, undertook an inspection visit to the Automatic Driving Training Centre (ADTC) and the Automated Testing Station (ATS) at Phyang. The purpose of the visit was to review the status of ongoing civil and technical works and to accelerate timelines for the operationalisation of these state-of-the-art facilities. Secretary Chaudhary was accompanied by senior officials including the Regional Transport Officer (RTO), Ladakh; the Assistant Regional Transport Officer (ARTO), Leh; the Executive Engineer from the Public Works Department (PWD); the Assistant Executive Engineer from the Power Development Department (PDD); and other departmental representatives. During the inspection of the ADTC, the Secretary conducted a detailed review of construction progress and infrastructure development. He issued clear directives to the Executive Engineer, PWD, to ensure completion of all outstanding civil works within a month, emphasising that further delays would hinder the installation schedule of sophisticated electronic testing and simulation systems. He further instructed that sanitation facilities be rendered winter-appropriate, in view of Ladakh’s unique climatic conditions, to facilitate uninterrupted operation throughout the year. Highlighting the importance of timely procurement, Secretary Chaudhary also directed the RTO to initiate acquisition of essential infrastructure and furniture required for the centre. Once operational, the ADTC is expected to transform the process of driving tests for licence applicants, introducing a higher degree of automation, objectivity, and public convenience. The Secretary then proceeded to review progress at the adjoining Automated Testing Station (ATS), designed for the automated testing of vehicle fitness. The facility, being developed by WAPCOS, a Government of India enterprise, aims to replace the existing manual system with modern, precision-driven methods. Officials briefed the Secretary on the testing protocols and equipment being introduced at the site. He underscored the importance of adopting contemporary standards that rely on calibrated instrumentation and data-driven assessments. Under the prevailing regulatory framework, fitness testing is mandatory for commercial vehicles every two years up to eight years of age, and annually thereafter. For private vehicles, such testing is required at the time of registration renewal after 15 years, and subsequently every five years. The ATS is expected to streamline these processes, enhancing transparency, environmental compliance, and road safety. To address infrastructure-related impediments, the Secretary instructed the Assistant Executive Engineer, PDD, to expedite the provision of electricity to both ADTC and ATS sites, ensuring that all utilities are in place ahead of system installation and calibration. This visit reaffirmed the UT Administration’s commitment to embracing digital transformation and infrastructure modernisation in the transport sector. The commissioning of these automated facilities is poised to mark a significant milestone in improving service delivery, roadworthiness, and public safety. Expressing satisfaction with the overall progress, Secretary Chaudhary urged all departments to maintain close coordination to meet established deadlines. He assured that the Administration would extend full support to ensure the successful completion of these citizen-centric initiatives. |
