Odisha to set up 5 new driving institutes, 35 testing stations

The Odisha government has decided to expand its road safety infrastructure with the establishment of five new Institutes of Driving Training and Research (IDTRs) and 35 automated testing stations (ATSs) across the state. The move is aimed at enhancing professional driver training, improving vehicle fitness checks, and reducing road accidents.

According to a report of The New Indian Express, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has been approached for financial support of Rs 17.5 crore per IDTR. The proposed centres will come up in Bhubaneswar, Angul, Koraput, Sambalpur and Kalahandi. 

Since funding delays from MoRTH are anticipated for Bhubaneswar and Kalahandi, the state government will seek interim budgetary assistance from the Planning and Convergence Department.

The new facilities will add to the four functional IDTRs at Chhatia (Jajpur), Berhampur (Ganjam), Keonjhar and Bonai (Sundargarh), which are currently being run in partnership with Ashok Leyland. Once operational, Odisha will have nine driving institutes offering scientific training programmes for aspiring drivers, instructors, and Motor Vehicle Department officers.

Meanwhile, the government is also expanding its network of ATSs for vehicle fitness certification. The state’s first such centre was launched in Cuttack on January 30. While work orders for 21 ATSs have already been issued, 10 centres are expected to be functional by December, and the remaining 14 will be set up under the PPP model with viability gap funding.

Principal Secretary of Commerce and Transport Department Usha Padhee has instructed officials to identify suitable land, preferably near existing RTO offices, to ensure easy access for citizens.

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Funds for IDTRs at Angul, Koraput and Sambalpur will initially be drawn from District Mineral Foundation (DMF) funds, which will later be replenished once MoRTH grants are received, sources added.