51cr allocated for automated driving test tracks in 3 RTOs
2
Nagpur: Nearly a decade after the Supreme Court ordered state govts to overhaul the system of issuing driving licences to curb road fatalities, Maharashtra has finally acted. The state on Tuesday sanctioned 51 crore for setting up Automated Driving Test Tracks (ADTTs) at three transport offices in Nagpur district — RTO City, RTO Rural, and Deputy RTO (East).
The funds, drawn from the Road Safety Fund, are part of a larger 202.99 crore allocation approved for 17 districts, revised down from the earlier 218.39 crore estimate. The approval comes under an administrative decision issued on June 10 by the state's home department following meetings chaired by the chief secretary in November 2024 and February 2025.
The driving tracks aim to eliminate human discretion and corruption in driving licence tests by using sensors, surveillance, and AI-driven evaluation.
Tenders for the construction will be floated by the state govt, and each office will be responsible for timely execution.
The move is long overdue. The Supreme Court's 2015 order called for strict action to improve road safety, including the setup of ADTTs and scientific testing of driving skills. Yet, implementation lagged for years amid bureaucratic inertia.
This time, the funds come alongside a slew of road safety initiatives, which include 129.4 crore for 11 more ADTTs in other districts, 99.52 crore for six upgraded testing stations, 7 crore for body-worn cameras for transport officers, and over 8 crore for tablets to log accidents on iRAD/eDAR apps.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Mercado Libre CFD: gana hasta 2.700$ a la semana trabajando desde casa
TradeLG
Undo
With Maharashtra reporting some of the highest road accident deaths annually, transport experts say the real test will be in execution. Citizens now wait to see if this belated response translates into safer roads, or becomes another bureaucratic checkbox.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
China extends probe into EU dairy products as trade tussle goes on
China extended on Monday its anti-subsidy investigation into European Union dairy imports by six months, one front in a wider trade war with Brussels and Washington. Trade tensions between China and the EU erupted in 2023 when the European Commission - which oversees the bloc's trade policy - launched an anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese-made electric vehicles. China subsequently started investigations into imports of EU brandy, pork and dairy products - widely seen as retaliation for Europe's EV move. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Elegant New Scooters For Seniors In 2024: The Prices May Surprise You Mobility Scooter | Search Ads Learn More Undo For dairy products, China's Ministry of Commerce said it had prolonged the period of its anti-subsidy investigation to February 21, 2026, citing the complexity of the case, which covers some EU cheese, milk and cream products. Beijing had rolled over in June an anti-dumping investigation into European pork, of which it is also a major buyer, while in July it announced duties on EU brandy producers - though major cognac makers were spared provided they sell at or above a minimum price. Live Events The extension of the year-old dairy probe had been expected given that more technical visits by Chinese officials were already scheduled for early September, said Alexander Anton, secretary general of the European Dairy Association , which represents the industry at EU level. The EU dairy sector is not anticipating the type of settlement reached for brandy, given the latter's different structure as an industry led by a small number of big firms, Anton added. In France, producers are hoping for a political resolution of the EV issue to avoid duties that could hit French dairy exports to China worth around 650 million euros ($759 million) a year, Francois-Xavier Huard, CEO of industry association FNIL, said. In April, a European Commission spokesperson said the EU and China had agreed to look into setting minimum prices of Chinese-made EVs, instead of tariffs imposed by the EU last year. The two sides have yet to reach a deal. "Beijing is still hoping to come to terms with the EU on a long list of trade conflicts," said Even Rogers Pay, an analyst at Beijing-based Trivium China who specialises in agriculture. "This investigation - along with the investigation into EU pork - are significant bargaining chips in the ongoing negotiations around the EU's tariffs on Chinese new energy vehicles," she said.
Economic Times
8 hours ago
- Economic Times
Why should commuter pay toll if stuck in jam for hours: SC
Synopsis The Supreme Court questioned NHAI about the fairness of toll charges on a severely congested highway stretch in Kerala, where commuters faced 12-hour delays for a 65-kilometer journey. The court was hearing appeals against a Kerala High Court order that suspended toll collection due to poor road conditions and traffic snarls. Agencies The Supreme Court on Monday asked the NHAI why should a commuter be asked to pay Rs 150 toll if it took 12 hours to cover a 65-kilometer highway stretch in Thrissur, Kerala. A bench comprising Chief Justice B R Gavai and Justices K Vinod Chandran and N V Anjaria made the remark while reserving its verdict on pleas filed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and concessionaire, Guruvayoor Infrastructure challenging the Kerala High Court's order suspending toll collection at the Paliyekkara toll plaza in Thrissur. "Why should a person pay Rs 150 if it takes 12 hours for him to get from one end of the road to the other end? A road which is expected to take one hour, takes 11 more hours and they have to pay a toll as well," the CJI said. During the hearing, the bench was informed about a nearly 12-hour traffic snarl on the stretch on the weekend. The toll suspension was ordered by the high court on August 6 on the ground of poor condition of the Edappally-Mannuthy stretch of National Highway 544 and severe traffic congestion caused by ongoing works. "We will consider everything, reserve for orders," the bench said after hearing Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the NHAI, and senior advocate Shyam Divan for the concessionaire. Justice Chandran said the accident which triggered the block was not a mere "act of God" as argued by Mehta, but caused by a lorry toppling into a pothole. Mehta said the NHAI provided service roads where underpass construction was underway but admitted monsoon rains had slowed the progress. He also cited a precedent suggesting proportionate toll reduction rather than suspension. Justice Chandran, however, remarked a 12-hour ordeal was far beyond any proportional adjustment. The concessionaire said it had maintained the 60 kilometer under its control and blamed third-party contractors, including PSG Engineering, for the service road bottlenecks. "My revenue stream cannot be stopped when I am not responsible for the work entrusted to others. The impact on me has already been Rs 5-6 crore in just 10 days," Divan said, terming high court's order as "grossly unfair." The bench said the high court allowed the concessionaire to raise claims against the NHAI for losses. Divan said it was inadequate as day-to-day maintenance costs continued while revenue halted. Appearing for the original petitioners before the high court, senior advocate Jayant Muthraj calling it NHAI's responsibility to ensure a motorable road. He said the toll collection amid such conditions violated public trust while referring to the high court's interim directions before resorting to toll suspension as a "last resort." On August 14, the top court expressed its unwillingness to interfere with the high court order suspending toll collection. The high court on August 6 ordered a four-week suspension of toll collection, observing that motorists could not be charged when the highway was badly maintained and traffic congestion was severe. It said the relationship between the public and the NHAI was one of "public trust" and that failure to maintain smooth traffic flow breached that trust.
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Time of India
New road toll rules: Abu Dhabi extends Darb toll hours by two hours starting September 1
Abu Dhabi will extend Darb road toll operating hours by an additional two hours daily/Representative Image Abu Dhabi will extend Darb road toll operating hours by an additional two hours daily from September 1, 2025, as part of updates aimed at easing city traffic congestion and encouraging public transport use. The new rules also scrap the daily and monthly fee caps, marking major changes for regular commuters across the capital. TL;DR: Darb toll hours are extended: Evening charges apply from 3pm to 7pm, Monday to Saturday (previously 5pm to 7pm). Dh4 toll applies per pass at all four main bridges during morning (7am–9am) and new extended afternoon hours. Daily and monthly toll caps are removed; charges are now unlimited. Exemptions remain for eligible groups, and tolls do not apply on Sundays or public holidays. New toll timings and locations From September 1, 2025, motorists in Abu Dhabi will pay Dh4 for each trip through Darb toll gates between 3pm and 7pm (Monday to Saturday), in addition to the unchanged morning window of 7am to 9am. Tolls are not charged outside these peak periods, nor on Sundays and public holidays. Abu Dhabi's four main toll gates are at Sheikh Khalifa Bridge, Sheikh Zayed Bridge, Al Maqta Bridge, and Musaffah Bridge, key entrance points to the city. These changes are managed by Q Mobility, under the Department of Municipalities and Transport. A major update is the removal of daily and monthly fee limits, meaning motorists will pay the Dh4 charge each time they use a toll gate during charging hours. Previously, charges could not exceed Dh16 per day, while monthly caps depended on how many vehicles a user owned. With caps abolished, high-frequency users should budget accordingly. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Use an AI Writing Tool That Actually Understands Your Voice Grammarly Install Now Undo Exemptions and policy rationale Exemption policies remain unchanged for people with disabilities, low-income families, senior citizens, and retirees. The extension and cap removal are intended to improve peak hour traffic flow, reduce congestion, and prompt more commuters to consider public transit, especially given the city's ongoing population boom. Abu Dhabi's population now exceeds 4.1 million, up 51% in a decade; surging vehicle registrations and rapid development underscore the importance of adaptive traffic management strategies in the emirate. With extended toll hours and the removal of daily and monthly payment limits, Abu Dhabi is signaling a shift toward tighter congestion control and stronger incentives for public transport. Motorists are urged to adjust their travel habits and budgets as these new rules take effect. FAQ 1. When does Abu Dhabi's extended Darb toll timing start? The new toll hours begin on September 1, 2025, extending evening charges from 3pm to 7pm. 2. What is the current toll charge per trip through Darb gates? The fee remains Dh4 per passage during peak hours in the morning and newly extended afternoon period. 3. Are there daily or monthly caps on toll payments? No, daily and monthly toll caps have been removed; all tolls must now be paid per trip without limits. 4. Which toll gates are affected by the new timings? Toll gates on Sheikh Khalifa Bridge, Sheikh Zayed Bridge, Al Maqta Bridge, and Musaffah Bridge all apply the new schedule. 5. Who is exempt from paying the Darb toll? People with disabilities, low-income families, seniors, and retirees remain exempt from the toll fees.
