Vehicles wait for a traffic signal to turn green at a busy intersection. File picture

Feb. 1: The construction of a modern driving test track, proposed by the state transport department, remains suspended after Gauhati High Court issued a stay order in March 2010, taking cognizance of a petition filed by land owners demanding higher compensation.

In an effort to fulfil a long-felt need for a proper testing track, the transport department had placed the proposal with the government in 2007. The project cost was estimated at Rs 2.25 crore, of which Rs 1 crore was released during the first phase in 2010.

The construction started in March 2010 only to be stopped after two weeks as the land owners moved the court which, in turn, issued the stay order till the disposal of the case, which is still pending.

“The track, designed specially for carrying out driving tests, is essentially important to ensure that the person obtaining a licence is aware of the traffic rules and driving technicalities. For a novice, a test on a designated driving track will help acquire basic driving knowledge,” said state transport commissioner Swapnanil Baruah.

Baruah said the ambitious project was being delayed because of the court directive.

”With increasing vehicular traffic, it has become difficult to conduct the necessary tests on the roads. Besides, there is lack of open space in the city for such a test. We hope to get the clearance from the court to accomplish the project at the earliest,” he said.

“Besides, with such a track, it will be possible to open a driving school where we can train the drivers. There should be similar proposals for driving test tracks across the state,” Baruah said.

The district transport office here currently conducts the tests early morning with temporary arrangements on its compound and adjoining roads.

The proposed track, adjacent to the transport office, will have zebra crossings, speed-breakers, crossroads, intersections as well as the traffic signs and signals.

“The proposed permanent track will have more curves to check backward driving, street up, street down and other features. There will be around 200 signboards on traffic rules and regulations. A proper test is, in fact, necessary to check the competency of a driver,” said motor vehicle inspector Sadananda Gogoi.

Drivers who acquire licences without formal training and tests often violate traffic rules to further compound the woes of perennial traffic snarls along the narrow city streets, Gogoi said.