Proposed driving test tracks to be relocated

New Delhi: Due to lack of land availability and resistance by locals, the Delhi government has shifted its proposed automated driving test tracks at Surajmal Vihar and Hauz Khas to new locations. The proposed tracks will now come up at DTC Terminal near Karkardooma Court and DTC Terminal at Lado Sarai respectively.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU), to set up automated driving test tracks at 12 locations, was signed between the transport department of the Delhi government and the Maruti Suzuki Foundation in December last year. However, an office order, issued on March 6 by the transport department, said it was later reported that the driving test tracks are not feasible at Surajmal Vihar and DTC Terminal, Hauz Khas.

A government official said the decision to shift the proposed tracks was taken due to lack of availability of land at Surajmal Vihar, while locals had protested against setting up of the automated driving test track at Hauz Khas. Besides the two new locations, the tracks will come up at the transport department’s 10 other facilities including Burari, Jharoda Kalan, Dwarka, Mayur Vihar, Pratap Nagar, Loni Border, Rohini, Raja Garden, and Shakoor Basti. The tracks, equipped with cameras and sensors, will cost around Rs 1 crore each and will be spread across 1 acre land on an average.

At the time of signing of the MoU, Delhi transport minister Kailash Gahlot had said the tracks would be ready in nine months. The first one was expected to start operation at Saray Kale Khan soon, the official said.