Despite significant rise in the number of CNG vehicles, Udham Singh Nagar district headquarters in Rudrapur lacks a fitness centre for hydro testing of CNG kits, posing a safety risk for vehicle owners.

Rudrapur transport department reports that there are 1,357 vehicles running solely on CNG and 2,136 vehicles operating on both CNG and petrol, but there is no provision for hydro testing, even though facilities for CNG refills and kit installations are available in the city.

Gas Authority of India Ltd (GAIL) mandates that CNG kits undergo hydro testing every three years to ensure safety. This test, regulated by the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO), checks for potential weaknesses in the cylinder, including the possibility of seal failure, valve damage, or even cylinder explosions. Failure to conduct the test may result in the denial of CNG refill.

Rudrapur assistant regional transport officer (ARTO), Chakrapani Mishra, said, "Currently, there is no plan for establishing a fitness centre in Rudrapur. Vehicle owners have to go to other metro cities for hydro testing. A proposal for a local facility will be sent in future."

In hydro testing, cylinders are exposed to pressures 1.5 times higher than normal to assess their fitness. The lack of a local testing centre has raised concerns about regular monitoring of fitness of CNG vehicles, forcing owners to travel long distances to meet this essential safety requirement.