Driving test tracks at edu institutions to cut wait time

New Delhi: While the

capital

is on its way to get 12

automated driving test tracks

by next year,

Delhi government

has started creating

seven new test tracks

at

educational institutions

.

TOI reported in October this year that Delhi government’s transport department has identified seven sites at Industrial Training Institutes at Mayur Vihar, Shahdara, Narela, Jail Road, Pusa Road and Jafarpur Kalan, apart from the Indira Gandhi Delhi Technical University at Kashmere Gate and Delhi Technological University in Bawana. Each automated test track is expected to cost around Rs 10 crore.

The first automated driving test track in Delhi came up at Sarai Kale Khan, which caters to both the South and Central zones, in January 2018. In March next year, three more such centres came up at Mayur Vihar, Vishwas Nagar and Shakur Basti, followed by a track at Burari that July. Last year, automated driving test tracks came up in October at Loni Road, Rohini and Raja Garden and Dwarka also got a centre in January 2021.

However, the number of automated test tracks are not able to cater to the rush of applicants appearing for driving tests. As a result, Delhi government zeroed in on educational institutions to construct tracks, which would reduce the load on existing test tracks.

Delhi government also plans to start 12-hour shifts seven days a week from the automated driving test tracks at Sarai Kale Khan, Loni Road, Shakur Basti, Rohini and Janakpuri. The maximum number of driving licenses are issued every year from tests conducted at these locations. The 12-hour shifts may also be planned for other test tracks later, sources said.

With the completion of work at Lado Sarai, Hari Nagar and Jharoda Kalan, Delhi would have a total of

12

automated driving test tracks by next year. The transport department plans to rope in another agency for maintenance and operations of these tracks by that time.