PRAYAGRAJ, Jan. 10 -- With effect from January 1, commercial vehicle fitness tests are no longer being conducted in Prayagraj. Vehicle owners and drivers now have to travel to neighbouring districts, Mirzapur or Fatehpur, for fitness inspections. This change has sparked widespread frustration among taxi, e-rickshaw, and other commercial vehicle operators.

On Friday, leaders of the e-rickshaw and taxi unions submitted a memorandum to assistant regional transport officer (ARTO) Rajeev Chaturvedi, expressing strong opposition to the decision. The unions have also informed the transport minister of Uttar Pradesh about the issue.

Union vice president Raghunath Dwivedi said, "Since January 1, 2026, fitness checks for taxis, e-rickshaws, and l...