Maruti Suzuki India Ltd (MSIL) on Wednesday entered into an agreement with the Government of NCT of Delhi to set up latest automated driving test centres across 12 locations in the city.
The company will invest around ₹15 crore and the centres will be set up in phases, and handed over to theTransport Department. Commissioning of the centres and their operation will be decided by the Transport Department, MSIL said.
A memorandum of agreement (MoA) was signed between the Department of Transport, NCT of Delhi, and MSIL. According to the pact, Maruti Suzuki will set up centres comprising scientifically laid driving test tracks, advanced high definition cameras and an integrated IT system, as approved by the Transport Department.
“While Maruti Suzuki will set up the centres and maintain them for three years, the Transport Department will conduct the tests and issue driving licences to eligible applicants,” it said.
In the first phase, these automated driving test centres will be set up at Hauz Khas, Shakur Basti, Raja Garden, Hari Nagar, Burari, Loni Road, Sarai Kale Khan, Rohini, Jharoda Kalan, Mayur Vihar Phase-I , Surajmal Vihar and Dwarka.
The company said that the centres will also be equipped with advanced video analytic technology to check the driving skills of the applicant. Currently, this assessment is done manually. Through the new system, the driver's test will be recorded in the cameras installed around and present inside the car as well, and no officials will be around during the test. The selection will be based on the video recorded in cameras.
MSIL supports quality driving training through its network of nearly 430 Maruti Driving Schools, operated in partnership with its dealers across India. It also manages six IDTRS in partnership with state governments. These schools use driving simulators and employ trained instructors to impart training based on a theory-cum-practical curriculum. The company trains nearly 1.5 lakh new drivers annually through these institutes.