Maruti Suzuki new Institute of Driving & Traffic Research (IDTR) in Raipur

Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Chhattisgarh Transport Department to set up a new Institute of Driving & Traffic Research at Naya Raipur, the state capital.

The MoU was signed by O P Pal, Additional Commissioner of Transport & Joint Secretary, Government of Chhattisgarh and Mahesh Rajoria, Associate Vice President - Driving Training, Maruti Suzuki India Limited. Present at the signing ceremony were Rajesh Munat, Transport Minister, dignitaries from the government and officers from Maruti Suzuki.

Commenting on the new IDTR, Mahesh Rajoria, Associate Vice President - Driving Training, Maruti Suzuki said, “Road safety is one of the key areas of intervention under CSR. As a car maker it is also our prime responsibility to create awareness and instil safe driving habits among car users. We are happy that Chattisgarh government has chosen Maruti Suzuki as their partner for this initiative. We hope that people of Chattisgarh make good use of this facility for their benefit.”

As per the MoU, Chattisgarh government will provide the land and infrastructure for the project, while Maruti Suzuki, with an experience in imparting safe driving training for over 16 years will manage and run the facility. Maruti Suzuki will provide training equipment – vehicles and simulators – and skilled trainers.

The main objective of the IDTR will be to promote road safety in Chhattisgarh through awareness, education, and training amongst road users. Maruti Suzuki will conduct refresher for heavy motor vehicle drivers, commercial vehicle drivers and drivers of vehicles carrying hazardous goods at a very nominal fees. Maruti Suzuki will also organise road safety awareness campaigns for children.

The driving training programme comprises behavioural aspects, defensive driving, traffic rules and regulations, emergency handling, fuel conservation, pollution, social topics like alcoholism, AIDS, TB, etc.

Maruti Suzuki’s journey in imparting safe driving started in the year 2000, when the company along with Government of Delhi set up the first IDTR. The IDTR is set up as a public-private partnership. After the success of the first IDTR, many state governments came forward with a proposal of setting up an IDTR in their state. Today, Maruti Suzuki manages 6 IDTRs – Delhi (2), Haryana (2), Uttarakhand (1) and Gujarat (1). So far the Company has trained over 11 lakh commercial drivers at its facilities.