Seven new automated test sites at edu institutions to put you in driver’s seat

New Delhi: While the national capital is on its way to get 12 automated driving test tracks by the next year, the Delhi government has, for the first time, identified seven sites at educational institutions for similar test tracks.
The first automated track in Delhi came up in January 2018 at Sarai Kale Khan, which caters to both the South and Central zones.In March 2019, three more were added at Mayur Vihar, Vishwas Nagar and Shakur Basti, followed by a track at Burari in July. Last year, similar test tracks came up in October at Loni Road, Rohini and Raja Garden, and another at Dwarka in January 2021. The will be completed at Lado Sarai, Hari Nagar and Jharoda Kalan in 2022.
These tracks, however, are not enough to tackle the rush of applicants seeking to appear for the tests. As a result, the Delhi government has now zeroed in on educational institutions for constructing tracks, which will not only reduce the load on the existing test tracks but also make it easier for the youth to appear for tests.
Delhi’s transport minister Kailash Gahlot told TOI that seven such sites had already been identified at Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) at Mayur Vihar, Shahdara, Narela, Jail Road, Pusa Road and Jafarpur, apart from Indira Gandhi Delhi Technical University at Kashmere Gate.
Delhi is “the first state to have completely automated driving test tracks and also has a strong enforcement wing with 70+ vehicles”, Gahlot said on Friday during a Road Safety Summit hosted by the department.
“We are very soon taking on board schools and colleges and have already identified six locations... to increase capacity of test racks and impart a life skill at a young age,” he had said.
The Delhi government also plans to start 12-hour shifts, seven days a week, at the automated driving test tracks at Sarai Kale Khan, Loni road, Shakur Basti, Rohini and Janakpuri. These regional transport offices (RTOs) issue the highest number of driving licences every year and the 12-hour shifts throughout the week will also be planned for other RTOs later, depending on the volume, sources said.
The next year, the transport department also plans to rope in another agency for maintenance and operations of these tracks.