DIMAPUR, DECEMBER 5 (MExN): As the DAN government nears the end of its five years term; Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has involved himself in a frenzy of inaugurations all over the state. In the same mode, the “half-completed”, Driver Training Institute at Tenyiphe-II, constructed in a prime piece of land, donated by the Chief Minister himself, was inaugurated today at 2:00 PM. Refreshingly, Rio refrained from making too much political remark at the inaugural function, though he went out his way to give the gathering some driving lessons befitting the occasion.
The Driver Training Institute inaugurated today is the second such institute in the whole country, the first one being in Andhra Pradesh. While briefing the gathering with reports of the project, General Manager of NST, Pekrusetuo Angami informed that the outlay of the project is Rs. 5 Crores, 6 lakhs with 70% and 30 % funding from the Centre and State governements respectively. In addition to the Administrative Complex (which is completed) with class rooms and laboratory, the Institute is also to have a hostel with capacity for 50 students. The driving track is said to stretch for three kilometers including the approach road.
The Institute is anticipated to cater to not only the state but also to the neighbouring states as it is the first of its kind in the region. Having been started in April 2007, the project which was to be completed in 18 months, is said to have achieved record timing. Expressing satisfaction with the speed of the progress, the Director of CIRT, Pune, Prof. A.V. Sardesai assured that if the Institute is completed by April 2008, as promised by the Department, he would push for the 2% incentive for the persons concerned.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Rio attempted to hammer in the enormous responsibility in the profession of driving. Lamenting that drivers in Nagaland were not “vehicle drivers but steering driver”, Rio expressed hope that the Institute would instil the required skill and professionalism into the drivers. He also said that the Department wished to make it mandatory for all government and commercial drivers to take a refreshers’course in the Institute so as to educate them on the finer skills of the profession. “Vehicle is very costly, your passengers’ life is very dear and the pedestrians’ life cannot be compromised”, he expounded and suggested that the Department begin phase-wise the Refresher’s Course for government drivers (even those already employed), even if the Institute is not completely done.
Minister of Transport & Communication, Labour & Employment, Imtilemba Sangtam also spoke to the gathering while the State Transport Commissioner, Meren Paul delivered the vote of thanks. The function was chaired by Secretary of the Department, Imkonglemba.
