The Society of Indian
Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), the apex automotive industry body remarkably
and successfully concluded its journey of 20 lecture series, which was started
on World Environment Day 2020 with the prime focus
on environment, safety and sustainable mobility. The series concluded with 20th
lecture concentrating on ‘Vehicle Inspection and Certification: Challenges
& Opportunities’. The series delved into the challenges, opportunities, policies,
regulations and technology interventions needed for stricter vehicle inspection
& certification, so as to ensure that the in-use vehicles, which are on
road, meet all the safety standards and emission requirements for safe and
environment friendly mobility. SIAM hosted this lecture series with the
objective of improving the condition of in-use fleet on the roads.
Segmented into two
sessions, the lecture series witnessed senior Government officials, industry
stalwarts and experts, showcase vehicular inspection best practices and the
challenges faced by the industry, while highlighting the myriad opportunities
that the sector provides. .
Mr Prashant K Banerjee,
Executive Director, SIAM, said, “A panel
of distinguished experts from the automotive domain provided the much needed
insight into ‘Vehicle Inspection and Certification: Challenges &
Opportunities’ which inter alia highlighted the implementation of vehicle
scrappage policy announced by the Government. This will also help in vehicle modernization
program to achieve circular economy, sustainability and sustainable development
goals in the country by 2030.”
The Chief Guest Mr K C Gupta, Additional Secretary,
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, Government of India, stated, “Making the vehicles safer alone
would not bring down the accidents and fatalities unless they are checked and
inspected at regular intervals. With the announcement of vehicle scrappage
policy by the MoRTH, vehicle Inspection and certification will become critical
for the implementation of scrappage policy and Voluntary Vehicle-Fleet
Modernization program. The road worthiness of vehicles will not only reduce
mortality and injuries due to lesser road accidents but also reduces the
insurance premium payable by the owner of the vehicle. Inspection and
certification also have great Social, Environmental and Economic benefits. In
fact, fit and sound vehicle will foster sustainable mobility and sustainable
development goals 2030.”
Mr Ashish Kundra, Principal
Secretary and Commissioner, Transport Department, Government of NCT of Delhi, said, “Due to the rapid increase
in public transport, the improvement of vehicle performance capability and
servicing becomes an ever-increasing urgency. An effective improvement of
roadworthiness can be achieved by the implementing an effective and sound
vehicle inspection and certification regime. Vehicles that will fail the
fitness test will be labeled as ''End of Life Vehicles (ELV)''. Such vehicles
will not be allowed to run on roads. The MoRTH is promoting setting up of
Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facility (RVSF) across India and will encourage
public and private participation for opening of such centers. Efforts are also
being made to set up Integrated Scrapping Facilities across India. Similarly,
the MoRTH is also promoting setting up of Automated Fitness Centers on a PPP
model by bringing in state government, private sector, automobile companies, etc.
On a single platform.”
On this occasion, Mr
Punit Talwar, Sr. Vice President, Rosmerta Technologies Ltd, made a
presentation on the theme, “Systems
of I&C in India” giving the comprehensive overview of the present
system prevalent in India.
Speaking about the
Certification and Inspection Centers in India, Mr R R Meena, Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport and
Highways, Government of India, outlined the national perspective and India’s
Roadmap of Vehicle inspection and certification. A video presentation of Mr
Graham Williams, Managing Director GB MOT Training Ltd
Manchester, England, UK, shared which showcased the international perspective and
prevailing practices about inspection and certification.
Mr
Sanjay Mehta, President, MRAI, threw light on the Imperatives of Vehicle
Road worthiness & ELV recycling, showcase
the Cost Benefit Analysis of I&C Centres, Mr Anil Chhikara, MLO, Delhi Transport Department gave an overview
about the economics behind the process.
Mr B Bhanot, Chairman TED29, Bureau of Indian Standards, shared an overview
on the inspection and certification benchmarking, presenting global alignment
with the practices.
Mr Shriniwas
Chakravarthy, Co Chairman, SIAM Service, Inspection, Maintenance &
Certification Group, Head (Technical Service), Volkswagen Group Sales India Pvt
Ltd., moderated the sessions extremely intelligently and scientifically.
With deliberations on
Government’s Roadmap, Opportunities & Challenges, Cost Benefit Analysis,
Overview on Global Best Practices and Alignment, SIAM's lecture series
officially concluded on a high note, with a rich and insightful exchange of
ideas, best practices and strategies.
About SIAM:
The Society of Indian
Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) is a not-for-profit apex national body
representing all major vehicle and vehicular engine manufacturers in India.
SIAM works towards supporting the sustainable development of the Indian
Automobile Industry with the vision that India emerges as the destination of
choice in the world for design and manufacture of automobiles. It also works
towards facilitating enhancement of the competitiveness of the Indian
Automobile Industry, reducing the cost of vehicles, increasing productivity,
and achieving global standards of quality.