Haryana Transport Minister Anil Vij said that in a significant step towards strengthening road safety, ensuring the availability of skilled drivers, and creating new employment opportunities for youth, the Haryana Government has decided to establish a state-of-the-art Driving Training School (Institute of Driving Training & Research -IDTR) at village Shahpur in Ambala district. In this regard, an agreement was signed today between the Transport Department and M/s Ashok Leyland Ltd.
Vij said that the institute will be developed over approximately 13 acres of land through a collaborative effort between the Haryana Government and the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), M/s Ashok Leyland Limited. The institute will provide scientific, disciplined and professional training to drivers of both Heavy Motor Vehicles (HMV) and Light Motor Vehicles (LMV).
Freshers’ training courses for drivers to be conducted: Vij
The Transport Minister said that the institute will conduct freshers’ training programmes for both HMV and LMV drivers, enabling new applicants to receive high-quality professional training and prepare effectively for obtaining their driving licences. In addition, refresher courses, licence renewal training, and orientation programmes will be organized regularly for licensed drivers to help them upgrade their driving skills in line with modern transportation standards.
Specialized training for Goods Carriage and Hazardous Goods drivers: Vij
Vij further informed that the institute will also offer specialized training programmes for drivers engaged in the transportation of goods carriages and hazardous goods. These courses will cover safety protocols, emergency response procedures, advanced vehicle handling techniques, and relevant legal provisions. Such training will not only create a highly skilled transport workforce but will also significantly strengthen road safety across the state.
Trained and responsible drivers are the foundation of a safe transport system: Vij
The Transport Minister said that the primary objective of the institute is to translate the Haryana Government’s vision of safer roads into reality by developing drivers’ skills according to modern and international standards. He emphasized that well-trained and responsible drivers are the backbone of a safe traffic system. Therefore, the institute will focus on scientific and practical training to inculcate traffic discipline, road safety awareness, responsible driving behaviour, and strict adherence to traffic rules, thereby helping reduce road accidents.
Youth from Ambala, Yamunanagar, Panchkula, Kurukshetra, Jind and neighbouring states to benefit: Vij
Vij said that the establishment of the Institute of Driving Training & Research (IDTR) at Shahpur will benefit not only Ambala district but also youth and drivers from Yamunanagar, Panchkula, Kurukshetra, Jind, other districts of Haryana, and even neighbouring states. The institute is expected to emerge as a major regional centre for modern driver training. He added that the objective of the IDTR is not merely to teach driving but to produce professionally trained, disciplined and responsible drivers capable of meeting the evolving demands of the modern transport sector.
Institute to be equipped with world-class facilities: Vij
The Transport Minister said that the institute will feature modern digital air-conditioned classrooms, advanced driving simulators, live demonstrations of engine and transmission systems, a cut-section model room, medical room, library, canteen, yoga room, and hostel facilities for trainees coming from outside the region. He informed that the institute will train around 2,000 new drivers annually, while nearly 20,000 drivers will undergo refresher training every year to continuously upgrade their driving skills.
Advanced training tracks to simulate real-life driving conditions: Vij
Vij said that the institute will have specially designed modern training tracks featuring 8-Bend, S-Bend, Hairpin Bend, Hump Area, Reverse Parking, H-Bend and V-Bend configurations. These facilities will enable trainees to experience and master real-world driving situations in a safe and controlled environment, making them more competent and confident drivers.
Employment opportunities for youth and reduction in road accidents: Vij
The Transport Minister said that the institute will play a significant role in creating employment opportunities, particularly for youth and economically weaker sections. After completing the training, candidates will become more employable and self-reliant while accessing better career prospects in the transport and logistics sectors. He added that by promoting scientific driver training, traffic discipline and responsible driving practices, the institute will make a substantial contribution towards reducing road accidents.
IDTR to emerge as Haryana’s premier centre for modern driver training: Vij
Anil Vij said that the Institute of Driving Training & Research, Ambala, will mark a new chapter in Haryana’s efforts towards skilled workforce development, road safety and employment generation. The institute is set to become a centre of excellence for advanced driving training and will play a vital role in producing competent, disciplined and responsible drivers in line with the changing requirements of the transport sector.
It is noteworthy that under the leadership of Transport Minister Anil Vij, the Transport Department has been consistently working to make Haryana’s transport system safer, technologically advanced and employment-oriented. The upcoming IDTR at Shahpur reflects this forward-looking vision and is expected to benefit the state’s youth, the transport industry and the general public alike.
