Jharkhand Cabinet Clears Rs. 22-Crore Tier-I Driving Training Institute for Jamshedpur

Jamshedpur: In a major step toward improving road safety and developing skilled drivers, the Government of Jharkhand has approved the establishment of a Tier-I Institute of Driving Training and Research (IDTR) in Jamshedpur. The proposed institute will come up in Manfita Mauza near the Telco township and will be operated by Tata Motors under a collaborative model involving the Centre, the state government and the private sector.

The decision was taken during a state Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Hemant Soren. The Cabinet approved the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the institute with an estimated cost of ?22.03 crore, clearing the way for a modern driver training and research facility in the industrial hub.

A significant portion of the funding will be provided by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways under the Government of India, which will contribute ?17 crore as grant assistance. This accounts for nearly 77 percent of the total project cost.

Under the project framework, Tata Motors will invest around ?1.82 crore as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative and technical partnership. The automobile major will also be responsible for operating and maintaining the institute, deploying expert trainers and providing modern vehicles for training programmes.

The state government will allocate approximately 12 acres of land for the facility and contribute about ?3.21 crore, mainly for civil construction and basic infrastructure such as electricity and water supply.

The upcoming IDTR Tier-I institute will function as a model training centre equipped with modern technology and scientific teaching methods. It will feature advanced driving simulators that will allow trainees to experience challenging conditions such as rain, fog and night driving in a safe and controlled environment.

The institute will maintain its own fleet of Light Motor Vehicles (LMV) and Heavy Motor Vehicles (HMV) to provide comprehensive practical training. In addition to basic driving skills, the programmes will focus on defensive driving techniques and fuel-efficient driving practices. Specialised courses will also be offered for commercial drivers, including induction training, refresher courses and programmes for drivers handling hazardous goods.

Candidates who successfully complete the training and obtain a Form-5B certificate may be exempted from appearing for the driving test at the Regional Transport Office, as per existing rules.