J&K Transport Minister Satish Sharma Secures Union Support for Automated Testing Stations; Meets Nitin Gadkari in Delhi
NEW DELHI | January 8, 2026 – Minister for Transport, Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Affairs, Satish Sharma, participated in the 43rd Meeting of the Transport Development Council (TDC) and the National Transport Ministers’ Meeting held today at Bharat Mandapam. Chaired by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, the high-level session focused on critical reforms including road safety, cashless treatment for accident victims, and the implementation of Zero Fatality Districts.
Minister Sharma utilized the platform to advocate for advanced safety technologies and the “Sadak Suraksha Mission” to be prioritized within the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.During a one-on-one interaction with Nitin Gadkari, Minister Sharma highlighted the unique challenges faced by residents in J&K’s border and remote regions. He specifically requested the allocation of specialized ambulances and Border Passenger (BP) buses to ensure that far-flung communities have access to timely medical care and reliable public transport.
Furthermore, Sharma sought central funding for the establishment of state-of-the-art Automated Testing Stations (ATS) in Jammu and Srinagar. These stations are designed to perform scientific fitness testing and emission controls, moving away from manual inspections to enhance vehicle safety.
In a significant win for the UT, Union Minister Gadkari approved the ATS proposal on the spot, pledging full central support for the infrastructure.Beyond official deliberations, Minister Sharma engaged with major national travel and transport unions, inviting them to expand their operations into Jammu and Kashmir.
He emphasized the UT’s vast potential in pilgrimage, adventure tourism, and logistics, assuring stakeholders of a secure and business-friendly environment.
By urging these unions to integrate J&K into larger national tourism circuits, the Minister aimed to bolster the local economy and create sustainable employment opportunities for the youth of the region.