MVD test track goes hi-tech in Kozhikode

Motor Vehicles Department all set to launch a slew of modern electronic facilities

The newly built automated driving test track at the MVD driving test ground at Chevayur in Kozhikode. Photo: S. Ramesh Kurup

The Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) will launch a slew of modern electronic facilities to streamline driving tests and allied services at its Chevayur testing ground on November 24.

Transport Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan will inaugurate the new e-facilities set up with the technical support of the Kerala State Electronics Development Corporation (Keltron). Minister for Panchayats and Social Justice M.K. Muneer will chair the inaugural function.

Officials attached to the MVD say the new facilities include a scientific testing track with sensors, a modern driving simulator for learners, a computerised call centre for assisting learners and an e-service gateway for remitting various fines.

In addition to these facilities, the Minister will also inaugurate the functioning of eight radar cameras installed on the National Highway to trace speed limit violations, they add. “The driving simulator will be an advantage for learners as it will easily help detect unhealthy driving habits and correct it on the spot. A printout too will be available for the learners to scientifically check the faults,” says Regional Transport Officer K. Premanandan. The facility is now available only in Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam districts, he says.

Though the Department is yet to finalise the category of beneficiaries to be offered training with the support of the new simulator facility, officials say it will be used in such way to cover all persons who want to improve their driving skills. “Suggestions have been forwarded to the Department to use it in such a way to benefit all the new learners and to those who wish to rectify their unhealthy driving habits,” they add.

Driving tests on time

MVD officials say the Department will be able to complete the driving tests (light motor vehicles) on time with the opening of the new testing track. “For long, we were depending on a single testing track to conduct the tests. It was a time-consuming affair for both the candidates and the officials assigned to supervise the tests,” they add.