Ranchi: Jharkhand has taken a significant step towards improving road safety, modern driving training and youth skill development. In the presence of Chief Minister Hemant Soren, the Transport Department of the Jharkhand Government and Tata Motors signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at Project Bhavan in Ranchi on Tuesday.
Under the agreement, an advanced Institute of Driving Training and Research (IDTR) will be established in Jamshedpur. The institute is expected to provide modern training facilities for drivers of different types of vehicles and contribute to improving road safety across the state.
Advanced IDTR to Be Established in Jamshedpur
The proposed Institute of Driving Training and Research will serve as a modern centre for driver training and research.
The initiative is aimed at strengthening the state’s driving training ecosystem and improving the skills of vehicle drivers.
The centre will focus on:
- Modern driving training
- Road safety awareness
- Skill development for drivers
- Training for small and large vehicle drivers
- Use of advanced technology in driver education
The initiative is expected to provide a more structured and technology-driven approach to driving training in Jharkhand.
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Simulator-Based Training to Improve Driving Skills
Chief Minister Hemant Soren said the institute would become an advanced training centre for drivers of both small and large vehicles.
One of the key features of the proposed institute will be the use of modern simulator-based training.
Explaining the importance of the technology, the Chief Minister compared the proposed training system with the way pilots are trained on flight simulators before operating aircraft.
The use of simulators is expected to provide trainees with a controlled environment to develop driving skills and understand different road and driving situations as part of their training.
₹22.30 Crore to Be Spent on Institute Building
The total cost of constructing the institute’s building has been estimated at ₹22.30 crore.
The project will receive financial support from multiple stakeholders:
- Government of Jharkhand, Transport Department: ₹3.21 crore
- Central Government: ₹17 crore
- Tata Motors: ₹1.82 crore
The construction work is being carried out by the Jharkhand State Building Construction Corporation Limited.
The partnership between the state government and Tata Motors is expected to strengthen the state’s driving training infrastructure and provide a more structured platform for professional driver training.
Training Programme to Include 30 Hours of Classes
The institute will offer a 30-hour training programme, divided equally between theoretical and practical sessions.
The training structure will include:
- 15 hours of theory classes
- 15 hours of practical training
- LMV and HMV driving simulators
- First-aid training
- Post-accident training
- Employment-oriented, industry-based driver training
The institute will also have hostel and mess facilities, with accommodation for 50 men and 25 women.
The combination of simulator-based learning, practical driving and industry-oriented training is expected to help trainees develop professional driving skills and improve road safety awareness.
Around 10,000 Recently Issued Driving Licences Highlighted
During the event, Chief Minister Hemant Soren symbolically distributed driving licences to a few young people from among approximately 10,000 licences issued recently.
He also interacted with District Transport Officers (DTOs) and District Collectors from different districts through video conferencing and took information about the functioning of the transport department.
The Chief Minister said he had received complaints about delays in the issuance of driving licences and had directed officials to clear pending applications at the earliest.
He expressed satisfaction that a large number of pending cases had subsequently been processed across various districts and driving licences had been issued to applicants.
Hemant Soren Calls for Faster Progress on Road Safety
Chief Minister Hemant Soren said there is still considerable work to be done in the field of road safety in Jharkhand.
He emphasised that the momentum of the project should not slow down and directed the Transport Department to accelerate the expansion of training and other related facilities.
The Chief Minister stressed the need to ensure that people receive better services and that the state’s road safety initiatives continue to move forward at a faster pace.
He also congratulated and extended his best wishes to all stakeholders involved in the initiative.
Pending Driving Licence Applications Being Cleared
During the event, Chief Minister Hemant Soren also spoke about complaints regarding delays in the issuance of driving licences.
He said he had earlier directed officials to expedite the disposal of pending applications.
The Chief Minister expressed satisfaction that a large number of pending cases had been processed across various districts and that driving licences had subsequently been issued to applicants.
The move is aimed at improving the efficiency of transport-related public services and reducing delays faced by citizens.
Focus on Transparent and Citizen-Friendly Transport Services
Chief Minister Hemant Soren said that although the Transport Department may appear relatively small, its responsibilities and scope are extensive.
He highlighted the government’s objective of providing better and transparent services to the general public.
The government is expected to continue introducing initiatives focused on public welfare and improving service delivery, with the aim of ensuring that people across Jharkhand directly benefit from such measures.
Initiative to Support Road Safety and Youth Skill Development
The establishment of the advanced IDTR in Jamshedpur marks an important initiative in Jharkhand’s efforts to strengthen road safety, professional driving training and skill development.
With modern training methods, including simulator-based learning, the proposed institute is expected to provide drivers with improved training facilities while supporting the state’s broader objective of making transport services more efficient and citizen-friendly.
The MoU between the Jharkhand Transport Department and Tata Motors is therefore expected to play an important role in developing a modern driving training ecosystem in the state.
