Even as the automated driving test centre at Tarn Taran has been inaugurated twice, construction is still going on there and the work of issuing driver’s licences is being carried out at a temporary building.
The centre was inaugurated for the first time by deputy commissioner Balwinder Singh Dhaliwal on March 22. Later, chief parliamentary secretary (CPS) Harmeet Singh Sandhu inaugurated it on April 21, along with centres in other districts.
However, the centre, coming up at a cost of `68 crore, is still to be completed. Only the track is ready for use, but the building is being construction. Till it gets completed, licences are being issued at an old building adjacent to the district transport office (DTO).
Although the government has made tall claims that the centre will be equipped with modern technology and the licence will be issued on the spot, the arrangements so far are inadequate.
“Right now, we have to issue the driver’s licence the next day. It will pick up pace once the new building equipped with latest technology is ready. Then, the licence will be issued immediately after the test,” said Bagicha Singh, an employee.
When HT visited the centre, no mason or labourer was found working at the new building. District transport officer (DTO) Angrej Singh Hundal, however, said efforts are being made to complete the building by July-end.
{{/usCountry}}When HT visited the centre, no mason or labourer was found working at the new building. District transport officer (DTO) Angrej Singh Hundal, however, said efforts are being made to complete the building by July-end.
{{/usCountry}}INADEQUATE FACILITIES
The centre has no car for the driving test, and the applicant has to hire it from outside. The harassed applicants question as to why the department is not providing the car despite hiked fee.
Also, the company which has tied up with the department to provide training to the applicants has not started its service. When the HT team visited the centre, applicants were seen waiting for the examiner under the scorching sun. They said they had been waiting for long, but the official concerned had not reached yet.