Maharashtra to build country's first road safety training and research institute at Saswad in Pune

Maharashtra is set to build the country's first road safety training and research institute at Saswad in Pune district, officials said on Monday.

State Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik visited the proposed site on Monday. He told officials that the project should be built to a high standard, with modern technology and infrastructure.

According to a government statement, the institute is being built on a 25-acre site at Saswad in Purandar taluka. During the visit, Sarnaik reviewed progress on the Automated Testing Station (ATS), the Automated Driving Testing Track (ADTT) and the proposed Road Safety Training and Research Institute.

At the automated testing station, sensors and cameras will be used to check vehicles' brakes, suspension, lights and emission levels. According to the state government, the automated system will make vehicle fitness checks more transparent, accurate and scientific. The time taken to test a vehicle is also expected to fall, and vehicles on the roads are expected to be safer.

At the automated driving testing track, drivers' skills will be assessed through different tests. These include figure-eight and H-shaped tracks, and sections with slopes and turns. The tests will use modern technology and video analytics. This is expected to make the driving licence process fairer and more reliable.

The proposed state-level road safety training and research institute will train officials and staff of the Motor Vehicles Department. The training will cover modern technology, changes in motor vehicle laws, road safety and traffic management. The aim of the initiative is to raise the department's efficiency and strengthen road safety arrangements.

During the inspection, Sarnaik said that enforcing rules alone is not enough to reduce road accidents. Modern technology, trained staff and a scientific approach are necessary, he said. He directed officials to build the Saswad facility to a standard that sets an example for the whole country.

According to officials, the project is expected to improve the overall quality of vehicle safety, driving skills and road safety management in Maharashtra.