Jamshedpur: In a move aimed at enhancing road safety and creating a pool of professionally trained 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 be set up at Manfita Mauza near the Telco Township and will be operated by Tata Motors under a collaborative model involving the central government, the state government and the private sector.
The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Hemant Soren, Chief Minister of Jharkhand. The Cabinet approved the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the institute with an estimated project cost of ₹22.03 crore, paving the way for a modern driver training and research facility in the industrial city.
A major share of the funding will come from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways under the Government of India, which will provide ₹17 crore as grant assistance, accounting for nearly 77 per cent of the total project cost.
As part of the partnership, Tata Motors will contribute about ₹1.82 crore through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative and technical collaboration. The company will also manage the institute’s operations, deploy trained instructors and provide vehicles for the training programmes.
The Jharkhand government will allocate around 12 acres of land for the institute and contribute approximately ₹3.21 crore towards civil construction and basic infrastructure such as electricity and water supply.
Once operational, the Tier-I IDTR will function as a model driver training centre, equipped with modern technology and scientific teaching tools. It will include advanced driving simulators that allow trainees to practise driving in simulated conditions such as rain, fog and night-time scenarios in a safe environment.
The institute will also maintain a dedicated fleet of Light Motor Vehicles (LMV) and Heavy Motor Vehicles (HMV) to provide practical training. Apart from basic driving lessons, the courses will emphasise defensive driving techniques and fuel-efficient driving practices.
Specialised training programmes will also be introduced for commercial drivers, including induction courses, refresher training and modules designed for drivers transporting hazardous goods.
Candidates who successfully complete the programme and receive a Form-5B certificate may be exempted from appearing for the driving test at the Regional Transport Office, as per existing regulations.