Want Fresh Driving Licence, go to Gambeeram from today

The track was developed on a 25-acre site more than three years ago. Preparing to rush to the Driving Track at Madhavadhara to take a Fresh Driving Licence (FDL)?

Preparing to rush to the Driving Track at Madhavadhara to take a Fresh Driving Licence (FDL)?

Wait. Applicants for FDL have to take the test at the new driving test facility developed at Gambeeram, on the outskirts of the city, with effect from Wednesday.

Transport officials led by Deputy Transport Officer M. Prabhu Raj Kumar visited Gambeeram on Sunday and checked the tracks, connectivity and other amenities developed at the new facility. There are three dual tracks on which driving tests could be conducted for both motorcycle and Light Motor Vehicle (car) drivers.

Apart from these, there is one track dedicated to conduct tests for Heavy Motor Vehicles.

The steep increase in the number of applicants seeking LLR (Learner’s Licence) and the corresponding increase in the number of those seeking the FDLs (permanent licence) and the limited facilities at the existing single testing track at Madhavadhara VUDA Colony had made the Transport Department to propose a six-track driving test ground a few years ago.

The driving track at Gambeeram was developed on a 25-acre site more than three years ago.

Driving tests were conducted on a trial basis a couple of years ago. The problems in providing Optical Fibre Connectivity (OFC) between the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) Office at Madhavadhara and Gambeeram had led to non-utilisation of the tracks all these years.

The hilly terrain had led to problems in laying conventional cables as also OFC by the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL). Though the public sector BSNL was given the contract at first, a private player chipped in reportedly quoting a lower price and backed out after finding it ‘non-lucrative’. Finally, BSNL was once again entrusted the job and completed it successfully.

The Transport Department had plans in the past to shift all activities pertaining to issue of all licences like Fresh Driving License (permanent license), Learner’s License (LLR) and inclusion of additional class of vehicle in the licence to Gambeeram.

“The proposal for posting an RTO at Gambeeram was not accepted by the government. At present only FDL test will be conducted at Gambeeram,” the DTC said.