Home Department of Maharashtra Government has given nod to setting up of Inspection and Certification Centre of Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) in Nagpur (East). The centre is to be set up at 20 locations across the State including six in Vidarbha.

The locations in Vidarbha region where ARAI Inspection and Certification Centre are proposed to be set up include Nagpur (East), Bhandara, Gadchiroli, Gondia, Wardha, and Yavatmal. Home Department, while giving nod to setting up of these centres has accorded administrative approval to the expenditure of Rs 11.9825 crore each for centres at Bhandara, Gondia, and Yavatmal. For the centres at Gadchiroli and Wardha, administrative approval has been accorded to expenditure of Rs 10.4825 crore. For the centre in Nagpur (East), expenditure of Rs 17.9525 crore has been approved. Home Department has approved expenditure of Rs 307.22 crore for 20 centres.

Transport Commissioner had moved a proposal regarding setting up of ARAI Inspection and Certification Centres on August 12, 2022. It got approval in the meeting of Road Safety Fund Monitoring Committee held on April 10, 2023. Chief Secretary of the State chaired the said meeting. After due procedure, Home Department has issued a Government Resolution in this regard on May 9.

The centres are proposed to be set up in the premises of Regional Transport Office/Deputy Regional Transport Office concerned. The administrative approval to the expenditure for the proposed centres has been granted subject to certain conditions. The first and foremost condition is that the ownership of the land earmarked for the centres should be with the respective Regional Transport Office/Deputy Regional Transport Office. If the said centres are to be set up on the land of Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC), the no objection certificate of MSRTC has to be secured with Government approval. Besides, the local authority’s approval has to be secured for the change in use of the land finalised for the project, wherever required. Soon, the tender for the centres will be issued by Industries, Energy, and Labour Department.