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New Indian Express
6 days ago
- Automotive
- New Indian Express
Centre speeds up establishment of district level driving institutes to curb road accidents across India
NEW DELHI: Six months after its launch, groundwork has begun on an ambitious project to establish at least one Institute of Driving Training and Research (IDTR) in every district across the states. According to the officials, familiar with the matter, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has already approved proposals for 20 such institutes, with 20 more currently in the pipeline. Revised guidelines for one time grant to establish such training facilities were released in January. 'On daily basis, the ministry is receiving proposals. The matter is being taken up on priority. There was some confusion as the matter had land in the Supreme Court after which it was believed that the Court had put a stay. The Government is giving a subsidy of Rs 2.5 crore however the cost is Rs 3-3.5 crore,'said officials. The ministry is implementing a scheme to establish IDTRs across India, with support from the 14th and 15th Finance Commissions. These institutes aim to improve road safety by providing quality driving training, particularly for commercial vehicle drivers, and promoting better traffic management and overall mobility. As per the revised guidelines, there will be one institute for 2.5 crore population in tier one cities. The criterion for setting up of the regional driving training centres is one crore population for 2-tier cities and a district will have at least one such facility for every one lakh people with the maximum ceiling of four with certain conditions. The guidelines state that land should be encroachment and encumbrance free for which the cost will be borne by the state governments and union territories (UTs). The Centre will provide one time grant and the local government or administration will bear the recurring expenditure of the facility. The scheme was launched by the Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari earlier this year. The guidelines say that the proposal for driving and training institutes should invariably contain provisions of automated driving test tracks. The Central Institute of Road Transport (CIRT), Pune will be the monitoring agency and provide technical and handholding support for IDTR to states and UTs for setting up of those centres. In March, Gadkari urged parliamentarians, members of the Consultative Committee of Members of Parliament attached to the ministry on road safety, to send proposals for setting up driving training institutes in their constituency.
India Today
26-05-2025
- Automotive
- India Today
Maruti Suzuki automated driving test tracks inaugurated by Uttarakhand CM
In a major step towards enhancing road safety and ensuring skilled driving across Uttarakhand, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated automated driving test tracks (ADTTs) in Haridwar and Rishikesh. These facilities have been developed by Maruti Suzuki India Limited under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) newly launched ADTTs are equipped with high-definition cameras and fully integrated IT systems, enabling a 100% computerised and transparent evaluation process for driving license seekers. Designed to eliminate human intervention, the tests are conducted in strict adherence to the Central Motor Vehicle Rules (CMVR), ensuring a fair and efficient assessment of driving new ADTTs will cater to testing for Light Motor Vehicles (LMV) and two-wheelers. With this, Uttarakhand now has three automated tracks in total, including one in Dehradun, operational since 2019. The Dehradun ADTT had previously won recognition from the Chief Minister for excellence and good governance in 2019–2020. Speaking on the occasion, Brijesh Kumar Sant (IAS), Secretary, Transport Department, Government of Uttarakhand, said, 'We are committed to making the roads of Uttarakhand safer, and Maruti Suzuki's ADTTs are a key enabler. Our collaboration with Maruti Suzuki dates back to 2009 with the establishment of the Institute of Driving and Traffic Research (IDTR) in Dehradun. Through these automated test tracks, we can ensure that only truly competent drivers are granted licenses.'The Secretary also highlighted the state's partnership with Maruti Suzuki in conducting refresher training for commercial drivers ahead of the annual Char Dham Yatra—a mandatory program that helps drivers navigate challenging hill routes and qualify for the Green Card necessary for yatra Bharti, Senior Executive Officer, Corporate Affairs, Maruti Suzuki India Limited, thanked the Uttarakhand Government for its continued support. 'Under the visionary leadership of CM Pushkar Singh Dhami, Uttarakhand is rapidly developing. Skilled drivers are critical to boosting tourism and ensuring road safety. Our ADTTs will help achieve these goals by ensuring that licenses are issued only to capable and well-prepared drivers,' he added that the company plans to train approximately 11,000 commercial drivers in refresher courses this year through its IDTR to the strict evaluation criteria of the automated systems, an initial dip in pass rates is often observed. For instance, the pass percentage at the Dehradun ADTT dropped to 60% in FY 2019–20 but has since improved to 69%, indicating that applicants are becoming better prepared over to Auto Today Magazine
Time of India
05-05-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Ponnam seeks Centre's support for Tealgana's road safety, EV initiatives
Hyderabad: Transport minister Ponnam Prabhakar on Monday urged Union road transport minister Nitin Gadkari to extend central assistance for key road safety, electric mobility, and driver training initiatives in Telangana. In a letter to the Union minister, Ponnam highlighted Telangana's progress in modernising its transport sector through digital platforms like VAHAN and SARATHI, AI-based traffic systems, scrapping facilities, and awareness programmes. He made a strong pitch for a second Institute of Driving Training and Research (IDTR) near Hyderabad, noting that the current facility at Sircilla is too remote for urban users. "With a population of over four crore and 1.72 crore registered vehicles, Telangana faces a serious shortage of trained commercial drivers," he said. The state has earmarked 40 acres at Dundigal for the new IDTR and is seeking central approval. Ponnam also requested ₹55 crore for an AI-based Integrated Intelligent Transport Management System , ₹176 crore under the SASCI scheme, and ₹43 crore to automate 57 driving test tracks that issue nearly five lakh licences annually. He reaffirmed Telangana's EV push, citing full waivers on road tax and registration.
