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| Puttur MLA Ashok Kumar Rai laid the foundation for a ₹7.8 crore automated driving test track at Mundoor to ease RTO services. |
Puttur, July 13: In a major infrastructure boost for motorists in the region, Puttur MLA Ashok Kumar Rai on Sunday laid the foundation stone for an automated electronic driving test track at Mundoor. The project, estimated to cost ₹7.8 crore, is expected to be completed within a year.
The automated electronic driving test track is designed to bring greater transparency, efficiency and accuracy to the process of issuing driving licences. Once completed, the facility is expected to handle around 300 to 350 applicants every day.
Speaking at the event, Rai said the project had faced delays despite receiving funding nearly eight months ago. The delay was caused by issues related to social forestry land, which have now been resolved with government intervention.
At present, Dakshina Kannada district has only one automated driving testing facility at Mudipu. As a result, applicants from Puttur, Sullia, Kadaba, Belthangady and surrounding areas are required to travel long distances to complete their driving tests. The new facility at Mundoor is expected to reduce this inconvenience considerably.
Rai said the project was initially proposed for Alevoor village in Udupi district. However, land-related challenges forced authorities to identify an alternative location.
“After learning about the difficulties at the original site, I took steps to bring the project to Puttur and personally inspected Mundoor to identify suitable land. This will become the second sensor-based RTO testing track in Dakshina Kannada district,” he said.
The MLA also announced several infrastructure and sports development initiatives for the constituency. He said the foundation stone for a sports ground spread across 15.50 acres near the project site would be laid within the next ten days.
In addition, around five acres of land have been identified at Mundoor for a KSRTC electric bus charging station, which is expected to cater to approximately 150 to 200 buses in the future.
Rai further revealed plans to develop playgrounds in Kodimbady, Bannur and other villages. About five acres of land have been earmarked to serve clusters of two to three villages, while six locations have already been shortlisted for future sports infrastructure projects.
Efforts are also underway to secure assistance from the Central Government through the sports department to establish a large swimming pool for competitive swimmers and develop a dedicated sports zone in the constituency.
Highlighting the pace of development works in the region, Rai said several projects were progressing simultaneously and would contribute to improved public infrastructure and services for residents of Puttur and neighbouring areas.
Also Read: Karnataka Approves ₹7.88 Crore Automated Driving Test Track in Puttur
Keywords
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