Govt to Establish 2000 Driving Schools in Tribal and Backward Areas
In a significant step to tackle the severe shortage of professional drivers and enhance road safety, the Indian government has announced the establishment of 2,000 driving training schools across the country. Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, made this announcement at an event in New Delhi, highlighting that these schools will primarily be located in backward and tribal regions.
The initiative aims to systematically train drivers and create employment opportunities, particularly in rural and underdeveloped areas. With India facing a shortfall of nearly 2.2 million trained drivers, these training centers are expected to be crucial in bridging this gap. Each school will be equipped with state-of-the-art driving test tracks, classrooms, and simulators to provide high-quality instruction.
The curriculum will not only cover fundamental driving skills but will also incorporate modern technologies such as electric vehicles and autonomous driving. Additionally, specialized refresher programs will be introduced to enhance the skills of existing drivers.
The Ministry will offer financial assistance to facilitate the establishment of these institutions. Public-private partnerships will be encouraged, with support from state governments and private operators. This initiative aligns with the broader objectives of the Skill India mission and aims to expand sustainable livelihoods in underserved regions.
Gadkari emphasized that the scheme will significantly contribute to reducing road accidents by improving driver competency and awareness. He urged citizens to strictly adhere to traffic laws and pledged that the Ministry would continue to work towards making India’s roads safer.
So far, the government has sanctioned 31 Institutes of Driving Training and Research (IDTRs) and six Regional Driver Training Centers (RDTCs) across the country. With this new initiative, thousands more individuals will gain access to formal driver education, marking a transformative step in India’s transportation and employment landscape.
