More than a year after two acres were allotted to the Motor Vehicles Department (MVD), work on the proposed state-of-the-art driving test track is yet to begin due to the soggy nature of the land.
Assistance from the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways could be availed of once the land was readied, an official of the MVD told The Hindu .
The recent State Budget presented by Finance Minister K.M. Mani had mentioned the setting up of two driving test tracks in the State. However, no allocations were made for the proposed projects. The two acres allotted for the project in Thuthiyoor near Kakkanad is perennially water-logged. The area leading up to the site is also in a dismal state. The site had to be filled up and an approach road built before the proposed track could be set up there, the official said.
An estimate of Rs.2.25 crore was drawn up for filling up the land and the MVD was allocated Rs.2 crore by the Road Safety Council.
An initial estimate prepared by the Public Works Department (PWD) pegged the cost of constructing the approach road at Rs. 3.50 crore though it was later revised to Rs. 2.50 crore.
Since the Ernakulam Regional Transport Office did not have the technical knowledge necessary for land filling, the task was entrusted to the Nirmithi Kendra. But after almost a month’s work, the public agency backed out stating that more extensive works had to be undertaken since a national water channel passed through the neighbourhood.
The MVD had then written to the Transport Commissioner to request the government for an order entrusting the PWD or Central PWD with land filling.
Though there were numerous types of test tracks to be chosen from, a final decision on the design was possible only after the land was readied, the official said. A smaller variant of the track is already operational in Kozhikode.
The test track will facilitate fully automated driving tests that will help bring about complete transparency in the process. At present, an assistant motor vehicle inspector has to keep an eye on the proceedings to check whether candidates cleared the test without knocking down the rods placed on the field. Besides, an official has to accompany candidates on the road test. Officials are also often accused of corruption and favouritism in the conduct of the driving test.
