LUCKNOW, Aug. 3 -- The Inspection and Certification (I&C) Centre built at a cost of Rs.8 crore in Transport Nagar continues to remain non-operational years after its completion, leaving expensive automated infrastructure gathering dust since 2025, while commercial vehicle owners have to run to Bakshi Ka Talab (BKT) for mandatory fitness tests. Inaugurated in 2019, the government-built facility was proposed to be converted into an Automated Testing Station (ATS) to reduce the burden on vehicle owners. The centre was thus closed down in 2025. Although the ministry of road transport and highways (MoRTH) had deputed a team from the International Centre for Automotive Technology (iCAT) to inspect the site and complete the technical survey, the centre is yet to be made operational by the state government. The delay has drawn criticism from transporters, who have repeatedly submitted representations to the Regional Transport Office and the transport commissioner, demanding that the Transport Nagar facility be made functional. Earlier, the centre handled nearly 200 commercial vehicle fitness inspections everyday, making it a convenient facility for transporters operating from the city's largest commercial transport hub. At present, Lucknow has two privately operated ATSs, both located in BKT. Transporters argue that having both centres in the same area defeats the objective of providing easy access to vehicle owners across the city. Commercial vehicles, particularly trucks, buses, autos and tempos, now have to travel longer distances for annual fitness certification, resulting in higher operating costs and loss of time. Replying to the concerns, ARTO (administration) Lucknow Pradeep Singh said the Transport Nagar facility cannot be made operational immediately because additional machinery is still required. "The centre still requires more machinery before operations can begin. The transport department has sent an estimate to the state government for approval. Equipment worth approximately Rs.1.25 crore is yet to be installed. The centre will become operational once the remaining machinery is installed and approval is received from the higher authorities," Singh said. He added that the I&C Centre was constructed at a cost of Rs.8 crore, of which approximately Rs.2 crore was contributed by the Uttar Pradesh government while the remaining amount was funded by the Centre. At the time the project was conceived, private vehicle fitness centres were not operational in Lucknow. However, two private ATSs are now functioning in the city. Singh further said that once the Transport Nagar facility is fully equipped and commissioned, it too will be operated by a private agency under the existing policy framework. The prolonged delay has also affected revenue. Departmental figures show that the government earned more than Rs.62 lakh from the I&C Centre during May and June 2025. After the operations at the facilities ceased, the revenue too dropped. With an investment of Rs.8 crore already made and most of the infrastructure in place, transporters say the continued delay in completing the project has left valuable assets underutilised while commercial vehicle owners continue to bear the inconvenience of travelling to BKT for fitness tests....