Government to train 70,000 drivers

The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways intends to train around 70,000 drivers during the current financial year through eminent organizations such as Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) etc. This has been done under the scheme titled “Two days refresher training to heavy motor vehicle drivers in unorganized sector” to inculcate safe driving habits and to acquaint the drivers with the rules on roads. The target for training drivers in the coming years will be fixed taking into account the availability for funds.

The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways had earlier administered a Scheme namely, “Model Driving Training Schools” for setting up of Driver Training Schools in various States/UTs to produce good drivers as well as impart refresher training to on the job drivers. The scheme was dropped by Planning Commission during the year 2007-08. After persistent efforts by this Ministry, the Planning Commission has given their in principle approval on 21.01.2009 for revival of the Scheme. This Ministry is in the process of obtaining appraisal of the Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) to this Central Sector Scheme. After the scheme is approved, the Ministry proposes to set up at least one such school in each State/UT. The revised scheme, inter alia, include the following courses for commercial and other vehicle drivers in the country:

i. Induction training course in driving of Heavy Motor Vehicles.
ii. Induction training course in driving of Light Motor Vehicles.
iii. Refresher/Orientation Training courses for short duration of 2-3 days for the drivers.
iv. Training course for the drivers who carry dangerous/hazardous goods.

This information was provided by Shri Mahadeo Singh Khandela, Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways in the Lok Sabha today