IDTR will help in promoting safe and responsible driving culture: CM

Central Chronicle News
Raipur, Dec 09: Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Bhupesh Baghel on Thursday inaugurated the state’s first Institute of Driving and Traffic Research (IDTR)located at Naya Raipur. The institute has been set up under Public Private Partnership, between the Transport Department, Government of Chhattisgarh and Maruti Suzuki India Limited, under guidance and support from Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH). While MoRTH has funded the infrastructure, the land is provided by Chhattisgarh Transport Department. Maruti Suzuki has been entrusted to manage and run the state-of-the art driving training facility as a CSR initiative. The joint initiative aims to impart quality driving training through a well-established, scientific curriculum and promote a culture of safe driving in the state. Several senior officials from the State Government and Maruti Suzuki graced the inauguration ceremony.
Dedicating the facility to people of Chhattisgarh, Chief Minister, Bhupesh Baghel, said, “Road safety is a national concern. India has an ambitious target of reducing road accidents by half by 2024. Towards this objective the state government is taking several steps to strengthen road infrastructure and enforcement. Nearly 80 per cent of road accidents are due to human error. Therefore, there is a greater need for right driving training and road safety education.”
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Kenichi Ayukawa, Managing Director & CEO, Maruti Suzuki India Limited, said, “We thank Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh Bhupesh Baghel for inaugurating this IDTR facility. Team Maruti Suzuki is delighted to partner with Government of Chhattisgarh in their efforts towards safer roads. We thank entire Transport Department for their sterling efforts and dedication to set-up this modern facility. We believe that a collaborative approach, between the Government and private sector, can result in creating institutions like IDTRs that will create awareness and promote a culture of road safety in India.”