History

The Western India Automobile Association was inaugurated on Wednesday, 15th October 1919 at the Taj Mahal Hotel, Mumbai. The first subject mooted was the condition of Bombay Roads.

1920      

March 1920, WIAA was affiliated to Royal Automobile Club. 13 New Members joined the Association.

WIAA decides to branch out to Lahore. (Now a Part of  Pakistan)

1930      

Association’s First Road Patrol was on duty and Free Breakdown Service introduced.

War Time restrictions on Motor Transport was made. The organization implemented Petrol, tyre and spare part rationing.              

Association saw the formation of Eastern Touring Federation comprising of India, Burma and Ceylon.         

1938      

Signing of the reciprocal agreement between the Associations for mutual services and assistance.

1939      

From 1st June 1939 The Western India Automobile Association’s Headquarters was The Lalji Naranji Memorial Building, Indian Merchants’ Chamber, Churchgate, Bombay.

WIAA’s Recreation Club was started.

1940      

Mr. V. C. Setalvad was made President of the Association. The Association’s Membership stood at 11,198

The Association celebrated its Silver Jubilee.

1949      

Pre Partition Driving Licences from Pakistan province were regularized  after representation from WIAA and were replaced free of Charge by fresh Bombay Driving Licenses.

Petrol Rationing was terminated.

1953      

A Conference of the Automobile Associations in India was convened in Bombay to consider the formation of  the Federation of Indian Automobile Associations in India.

Asian Zone office of the Alliance Internationale de Tourisme was set up with WIAA Bombay as its headquarters.                 

To mark the setting up of the Asian Zone, an 8000 mile motor Rally from Geneva to Bombay was organized by Alliance Internationale de Tourisme and WIAA Associations.

“Carnet” documents issued by the Automobile Association for importing a foreign car into another country was recognized by the Customs Authorities in India.          

AIT General Assembly was held in Lucerne and Shri P.P.Kapadia, President attended it.

1957      

WIAA became a member of the Union of Common Wealth Automobile Association London.

WIAA opened its Area Office in Nagpur on 1st July 1959.

Federation of Indian Automobile Asociation was incorporated under The Companies Act of 1956 in 1959 and commenced with its headquarters in Mumbai.  Mr. B. V. Row of AASI was the first President of FIAA.           

WIAA took initiative in calling an Automobile Conference in 1960 which was a success and attended by all manufacturers, motor vehicle dealers and the consumers.

Dr. Rajendra Prasad, President of the Indian Union was the Patron-in-Chief of the Association                

Monthly magazine Motoring was started and sent to every member

WIAA’s Golden Jubilee was celebrated by – 

All India Motor Rally of 6000 kilometres was organized.  Its starting points were Delhi, Calcutta, Bombay and Madras.

WIAA’s  School of Motoring was inaugurated

WIAA was affiliated to the Federation  Internationale de l’Automobil, Paris. (FIA, Paris)         

1971      

Goa Branch office was inaugurated.

1974      

The 5th All India Road Safety Congress was held in Madras, sponsored by AASI & FIAA.

WIAA resigned from AIT after the formation of FIAA and its Affiliation to AIT.

1979      

The Road Safety Advisory Committee formed by Union Government appointed FIAA as its constituent member.