Bhubaneswar, Oct 6: In a major step toward enhancing road safety and driver competency, government has announced the establishment of three new Driving Training and Research Institutes (IDTRs) in Angul, Sambalpur, and Koraput districts of Odisha.

Each institute will be constructed at an estimated cost of ₹25 crore, with ₹17 crore funded by the central government and the remaining amount sourced from the District Mineral Foundation (DMF) funds.

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The decision comes in response to the growing need for trained heavy motor vehicle (HMV) drivers in the state, where a significant number of road accidents are attributed to driver error. Currently, Odisha has four IDTRs, and data shows that drivers trained at these institutes maintain accident-free track records, reinforcing the effectiveness of structured training.

To facilitate the funding process, the state government has directed the district collectors of Angul, Sambalpur, and Koraput to release the required DMF funds. The move is expected to bridge the gap in skilled HMV drivers and reduce road mishaps significantly.

These institutes will not only provide advanced driving training but also serve as research centres to study traffic patterns, driver behaviour, and road safety innovations. With the addition of these three centres, Odisha aims to build a robust infrastructure for driver education and contribute to safer roads across the state.