The State Government has in principle decided to set up automated driving tracks in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Rourkela , Sambalpur and Brahmapur in the first phase for testing the driving skill of the applicants and asked the transport authorities to prepare accurate driving licences (Dls) and dispatch them directly to the eligible applicants to maintain transparency.
At a high-level meeting on Friday, Chief Secretary Jugal Kishore Mohapatra asked the Transport Department to locate places where land is available for construction of the tracks and placement of the technologies.
The automated driving test track would have electronic sensors which will help in grading the driver’s skill and knowledge on driving. A sensor with automated camera system would be fixed in the vehicle of the applicant who applies for the license and comes for the test. The camera and the electronic sensors on the track would transmit the skill level and errors committed by the driver while giving the test which will reduce the human interface in the process and would make the process more transparent, said Transport Secretary G Mathivathnan.
It was decided that the system would be set up on PPP mode. The Chief Secretary wanted to expedite the process and accomplish the task within six months.
Mathivathanan mentioned that henceforth Dl smart card and registration certificates (RC) would be sent directly to the applicant through speed post in water proof envelop. The service charge towards this would be collected from the card holders.
On the issue of establishment of more driving institutes, he said it was also decided to set up more institutes in partnership with Tata Motors and Maruti Motors. As of today, one institute has been set up at Chhatia with capacity of training 100 trainers at a time. The Chief Secretary asked the department to finalise the agreement document taking in best practices from other States within 45 days with Tata motors. Maruti Motors has been asked to come up with their final suggestions regarding management models shortly so that similar agreement can be signed with them.