Nishikant Khajuria
JAMMU, Oct 24: The proposal for setting up a multi-crore high tech Institute for examining driving skills and mechanical fitness of commercial vehicles in Jammu is gathering dust for the last more than one year notwithstanding transfer of land for the purpose.
No follow-up action has been initiated by the State Government since submission of Detailed Project Report (DPR) of the proposed Driving Institute with the Union Ministry of Surface Transport, official sources informed the Excelsior.
Though there was no official word over the reasons for the unprecedented delay, sources said that regional bias and a sense of envy over Jammu getting this scientific project earlier than Kashmir is the apparent cause of holding up this much needed Driving Institute in this region, where the number of road accidents has been ever increasing.
Pertinent to mention that for examining driving skills and mechanical fitness of commercial vehicles, two high-tech Driving Institutes were proposed in the State, one each in Jammu and Srinagar, with an approximate cost of Rs 35 crore. DPR of these high tech schools was prepared in consultation with Roads and Building Department and the same was submitted to the Union Ministry of Surface Transport in October last year for further action.
Village Ghaink near Bhalwal in outskirts of Jammu city was identified for setting up of high tech driving schools and the State Cabinet approved transfer of 100 kanals of land to the Transport Department for the purpose. Even as the land was also identified in Srinagar at Parimpura area for driving school, it could not be transferred and approved by the State Government due to some technical reasons.
Since then, sources said, the State Transport Department has been sleeping over the matter despite ever increasing number of road accidents due to unprofessional driving and mechanical unfitness of the commercial vehicles in Jammu region.
Further, delay in commencement of work has also been escalating cost of the project, sources added.
Once the DPR gets Union Ministry of Surface Transport’s approval, which is mere formality, sources said that the funds will be released and the construction work will start on the project.
However, the Government remained silent over initiating a follow-up and intentionally delayed the project as Jammu was going to get this high tech Institute before Kashmir, sources explained.
When contacted, Commissioner Transport, Dilshada Begum admitted that DPR for the proposed Driving Institute in Jammu was lying with the Ministry of Surface Transport for its approval. I will look into the matter for a follow-up action, she said adding that necessary instructions have also been issued to the Regional Transport Officer Jammu for acquiring the land, which has already been transferred.
With the setting up of this high-tech institute, the Government aims to improve road safety habits and examine the driving skills among motorists besides ensuring hundred percent mechanical fitness of the commercial vehicles before issuing mandatory fitness certificate.
Modeled on international lines, this Driving Institute will provide classroom, practical and attitude training to aspiring motorists besides real-life road condition to them for practical training. With the help of scientific devises and real-life road conditions, the learners will be provided operational skills like enhancing judgement, decision-making, drive at foggy weather, night and in dim light, uphill and downhill etc. For getting a driving license, the aspirants will have to pass all these tests.
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