Delhi students to get learner’s driving licence from college
Initiative to help about two lakh students from various colleges: Gahlot
Young people studying in Delhi will now be able to get their learner's driving licence from their college or polytechnic, transport minister Kailash Gahlot announced on Saturday.
The minister took to microblogging site Twitter to announce that the Delhi government has empowered directors and principals of colleges to issue learner's licenses.
“Young and studying in Delhi? You can soon get your learner's driving license from your college itself,” the tweet read.
A learner's licence is valid for up to six months. The initiative will help about two lakh students from various colleges, polytechnics, and ITIS in Delhi, according to Gahlot.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal retweeted the announcement and called it a “big step in cutting red tape” and “reducing corruption.”
Earlier this year, the Delhi government signed a pact with Maruti Suzuki India Limited for developing 12 automated driving test tracks in different parts of the city.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed with the automobile manufacturer in the presence of Lt Governor Anil Baijal and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal at the LG office, said Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot. With the coming up of the automated tracks, the process of issuing driving licences by Motor Licencing Officers (MLOS) will assume greater quality and accuracy, Gahlot further said.
“The first automated track is expected to be launched around January 26 next year at Saray Kale Khan,” Gahlot said.
The tracks equipped with cameras and sensors will cost around Rs 1 crore each and will be spread, on an average, across the one-acre land, the minister said.
The tracks will be developed at the transport department's facilities in Hauz Khas, Burari, Jharoda Kalan, Dwarka, Mayur Vihar, Pratap Nagar, Surajmal Vihar, Loni Border, Rohini, Raja Garden and Shakoor Basti.
These tracks will be readied within six to nine months, Gehlot added.
The tracks will be in stark contrast to the existing infrastructure where driving tests are almost informally taken on main roads, which are not only dangerous but also raise questions about the credibility of the tests.