Transport Minister C.P. John met Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari in New Delhi on Thursday to discuss transport-related issues in Kerala, including glitches in digital platforms such as VAHAN and SARATHI software systems, e-challan integration, KSRTC fleet modernisation, and driver training infrastructure etc.

Admitting the recurring technical issues affecting the digital platforms, the Union Minister directed the National Informatics Centre (NIC) to resolve them within a week. It was also decided to complete the integration of the State’s e-challan platform with the national e-challan system within a few days through coordination between the national and Kerala NIC units, said the Transport department in a statement.

Issues related to Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates, including those issued by centres in other States for vehicles registered in Kerala, were also discussed at the meeting. The Centre advised Kerala to strengthen its State-level verification mechanisms and promised action against those responsible for violations.

The Centre also agreed in principle to share data from automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras and weigh-in-motion (WIM) systems on the National Highways with the Motor Vehicles Department (MVD). Full automation of the WIM system and data sharing are expected to be completed within a year. The Centre also directed the State to make the automated testing stations operational at the earliest. Registered vehicle scrapping facilities in Kerala should also be made fully functional without delay, it said.

The Union Minister responded positively to the State’s request for soft loans to modernise the KSRTC fleet. The Centre will forward a proposal in this regard to the Department of Economic Affairs for consideration. Additionally, the State has been advised to approach the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs regarding the procurement of buses.

The Centre assured immediate approval for the Regional Driver Training Centre at Parassala and district-level driver training centres, while acknowledging delays in granting permissions. The Centre also agreed to consider the State’s proposal for toll exemptions or concessions for KSRTC buses at NHAI toll plazas.

The Centre further extended full support for implementing a pilot hydrogen transportation project in the KSRTC in collaboration with ANERT as part of a low-carbon emission initiative. The Union Minister also directed officials to take the necessary steps to expedite the project.