Testing track at Vamanjoor to be ready soon

Dakshina Kannada Nirmithi Kendra hopes to hand over the scientifically designed vehicle driving testing track, being constructed by it at Vamanjoor, to the Regional Transport Office (RTO) in less than a week.

The pressure is high on the Nirmithi Kendra as the January deadline for completion of the work on the track has been missed.

The Kendra has received the full amount of Rs 76.5 lakh to lay the track but has delayed the completion of the work, sources in the RTO said.

John B Misquith, who was made In-charge Assistant Regional Transport Officer (ARTO), wrote to the Kendra requesting them to complete the project at the earliest as the delay in handing over the track was affecting the quality of driving tests conducted on incomplete tracks.

The RTO receives an average of 60 applications for LLRs (learner driving licences) a day and about 100 applications for driving licences. The deputy commissioner had responded to the grievance of the RTO and set a deadline for Rajendra Kalbavi, Project Director of the Kendra, to hand over the scientifically designed testing track to the RTO by January.

Sources in the RTO said that the works related to construction of compound, new toilets, gates and rest room had been completed.

The empty spaces between the tracks, however, need to be filled up while the track for heavy trucks is yet to be completed. The track also does not have comfortable chairs and potable water supply, they added.

A candidate who was sweating it out at the track said the RTO should also grow trees in the place.

The RTO had not been amused by the fact that the Kendra had missed the January deadline.

Rajendra Kalbavi told DH that the first batch of interlocks delivered to them were substandard and therefore rejected.

“The work was also delayed for this reason. We are confident of completing all works, including the track for heavy vehicles, within a week,” Kalbavi said.

Institute in Mudipu

The transport department’s third Heavy Vehicle Driver Training Institute will be established by KSRTC, at a cost of Rs 15 cr, at Kamblapadavu near Mudipu.

The previous two such institutes are located in Yelahanka and Dharwad.

“The institute is expected to be completed in 2019,” In-charge Assistant Regional Transport Officer (ARTO) John B Misquith said. The objective behind the institute is to have qualified heavy vehicle drivers and to provide quality training.

Sources in RTO said an automated Vehicle Inspection and Certification Centre ( VICC) was also being planned near the driving school in Mudipu. The VICC will be established on a 10-acre plot at a cost of Rs 15 crore.

That apart RTO also plans to shift the fitness certification centre, to test commercial transport vehicles, from KPT Junction to Mudipu.