New Delhi, May 24 (IANS): In view of the increased rate of road accident and vehicular pollution, the central government government Monday announced that all states and union territories would now be required to set up an automated inspection centre to monitor the regulatory checks.

"In the 12th (Five Year) Plan, the ministry of road transport and highways intends to set up one automated inspection and certification centres for 'In Use' vehicles in all the states and union territories (UTs) for rigorous inspection of motor vehicles and to remove the defects before they are allowed to ply on road," the ministry said in a statement.

According to the statement, the ministry, after having first hand experience of running these type of centres, would scale up the scheme through the public-private partnership (PPP) basis to set up more centres through the country.

"As such, the states would need to replicate the model centres in other parts of the states/UTs."

The cost for equipment, construction, utilities and operations for the first year would be borne by the central government which has earmarked Rs.14.40 crore per centre, which would also include cost for supply and installation of necessary equipments.

"Ministry has already sanctioned one such project at Chhindwara in Madhya Pradesh, being executed by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM). At present the ministry has approved a scheme for setting up of 10 such centres in 10 states."

The statement added that after an year's operation, the centres would be handed over to the state, which then may decide to replicate it.