Institute of Driving and Traffic Research (IDTR) now promotes a culture of safe and responsible driving in Chhattisgarh

Naya Raipur/New Delhi, December 09, 2021:Chhattisgarh’s first Institute of Driving and Traffic Research (IDTR) located at Naya Raipur was inaugurated by Hon’ble Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Shri Bhupesh Baghel, today. The institute has been set up under Public Private Partnership, between the Transport Department, Government of Chhattisgarh and Maruti Suzuki India Limited, under guidance and support from Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH). While MoRTH has funded the infrastructure, Chhattisgarh Transport Department has provided the land. Maruti Suzuki has been entrusted to manage and run the state-of-the-art driving training facility as a CSR initiative. Additionally, Maruti Suzuki has also contributed some equipment and vehicles to facilitate training. The joint initiative aims to impart quality driving training through a well-established, scientific curriculum and promote a culture of safe driving in the state.

Several senior officials from the State Government and Maruti Suzuki graced the inauguration ceremony.

Dedicating the facility to people of Chhattisgarh, Hon’ble Chief Minister, Shri Bhupesh Baghel, said, “Road safety is a national concern. India has an ambitious target of reducing road accidents by half by 2024. Towards this objective the State Government is taking several steps to strengthen road infrastructure and enforcement. Nearly 80 per cent of road accidents are due to human error. Therefore, there is a greater need for right driving training and road safety education. This training facility is one step in the direction of imparting quality driving skills and education to promote road safety. The institute will provide an optimum balance of classroom and practical training, using advanced teaching aids and simulators. I encourage all learners and existing drivers to benefit from this facility. Together, with support from people of Chhattisgarh, we can make our state and country roads safer. I thank the Transport Department and Maruti Suzuki for joining hands with us to make our state roads safer.”

IDTR Chhattisgarh offers seven courses. These include training programs for LMV learners, HMV learners, Refresher courses for HMV drivers and a training module for the Trainers. The IDTR follows structured curriculum, designed by Maruti Suzuki experts as a part of their CSR initiative. A combination of theory classes and practical training, the exhaustive curriculum covers all important aspects that a learner should know to become a responsible and safe driver. Apart from the basics of driving, the curriculum includes sessions on rules of the road, road signs, traffic rules and regulations, applicable laws and penalties, etc. The facility has a dedicated wellness centre to teach simple yet effective yoga and meditation techniques for physical and mental wellbeing.