No New Scope for Vehicle Modifications; New Order Disappoints Vehicle Enthusiasts

The V D Satheesan government has once again disappointed vehicle enthusiasts who were waiting for new possibilities in vehicle modification. During the election campaign, the Chief Minister had promised that all kinds of modifications would be allowed. The government order issued on Wednesday in the name of permitting vehicle modifications has now been criticised as deceptive.

The order issued in the name of the Transport Commissioner states that seven types of modifications can be permitted in vehicles. However, all seven changes are already being carried out under the existing rules. No new modification beyond what is permitted under the Central Motor Vehicles Act has been allowed. The order itself makes this clear.

An order issued soon after the government came to power, claiming that 18 modifications would be permitted, had also faced similar criticism. At the time, modifications such as alloy wheels, stickers and sun films, which were already permitted, were presented as newly allowed changes.

The latest order says that changes including altering the colour of a vehicle, replacing its engine type, changing the chassis, modifying the body structure, converting the fuel of diesel or petrol vehicles to CNG and making vehicles accessible for persons with disabilities are permitted. However, all these changes are already possible under the existing Central law. The order also stipulates that all modifications must be properly recorded in the Registration Certificate (RC).

Changing the colour of a vehicle is already permitted. It can be changed only with the approval of the registering authority and after the change is recorded in the RC. The new colour must not be one prohibited under Rule 121 of the Central Motor Vehicle Rules (CMVR) or under decisions of the State Transport Authority (STA) in force at the time. This is an existing provision.

The order also states that an engine with the same specifications as the one originally used in the vehicle, including the same model, capacity and power, can be replaced. The replacement engine must be manufactured by the same company that manufactured the original engine. Installing an engine from another vehicle is not permitted.

Similarly, replacing the existing chassis with a chassis of the same type and manufactured by the same company is not a new provision. The order stipulates that a chassis manufactured for one type of vehicle cannot be used for another type of vehicle.

The claim that changes can be made to the body structure is also being criticised as misleading. Such modifications can only be carried out in strict compliance with Rule 112 of the CMVR, which is already the existing requirement.

Allowing fuel conversion using an approved retrofitment kit is also not a new change. Existing rules permit fuel conversion only through an original equipment manufacturer, an authorised vehicle company dealer, a state government-approved workshop or an authorised service station. Although the order states that the propulsion system can be modified using approved conversion kits, it specifically requires all related work to comply with the conditions and standards notified by the Central government.

Converting vehicles for accessibility by persons with disabilities is also already permitted. The existing provisions state that ordinary vehicles can be converted only through an original equipment manufacturer, a vehicle manufacturer's dealer, or a state government-approved workshop or service station.

The new order is effectively a tactic to create an impression of new concessions among vehicle enthusiasts. Many of the modifications sought by vehicle enthusiasts still cannot be carried out. Modifications involving excessive noise, intense lights and changes that affect safety are often carried out illegally in the name of vehicle modification. Such modifications cannot be given legal protection.