Karnataka govt gives administrative approval for constructing automated driving test track in Puttur
Puttur: The Karnataka government has granted administrative approval for the construction of an Automated Driving Test System (ADTS) track under the Puttur regional transport office in Dakshina Kannada district.
The project, estimated to cost Rs 7.88 crore, will be built on 5.4 acres of land in Mundoor village, located around 10 km from Puttur town, as reported by The Hindu on Wednesday.
The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), Bengaluru, will oversee the construction of the ADTS track, designed for two-wheelers and light motor vehicles. This facility is expected to streamline the process for driving licence applicants in Puttur, Belthangady, Sullia, Kadaba taluks, and Vittla hobli.
Puttur MLA Ashok Kumar Rai hailed the government’s decision, noting that this will be the second ADTS track in the district, with the first one located at Mudipu near Mangaluru. Rai further emphasised that the new ADTS would significantly boost economic activity in the region, as it would cater to a larger population of aspiring drivers, added the report.
Rai mentioned that the 2024-25 State Budget had proposed to establish ADTS tracks in several locations, including Udupi, Chikkaballapura, Nelamangala, Madikeri, Madhugiri, and Hunsur, along with seizing yards at Devanahalli and Tumakuru. However, the land designated for the Udupi track was classified as a deemed forest, preventing the Transport Department from acquiring it for non-forestry purposes.
Thus, Rai approached the Transport Department with a proposal to establish the ADTS in Puttur, instead of Udupi. The MLA visited Mundoor village to identify suitable land to establish the track.
The upcoming ADTS complex in Puttur will include test tracks for light motor vehicles (LMVs) and two-wheelers, an administrative block, a toilet, a control room, and necessary infrastructure such as compound walls, water and power supply, and landscaping, the report noted.
Rai further expressed hope that construction would begin soon, now that the project has received administrative approval.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Maharashtra: All files to be vetted by Shinde before being sent to CM Fadnavis
Mumbai (PTI): The Maharashtra government has ordered that all files will now go through Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde before being presented to CM Devendra Fadnavis for approval.
The moves seeks to revive an arrangement which existed in 2023 of files being vetted by the then two deputy CMs --Ajit Pawar and Fadnavis -- before being forwarded to then CM Shinde.
State Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik issued an order to this effect on March 18. "Since July 26, 2023, files were moved from Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who holds the finance department, to (then) Deputy CM Fadnavis, who held the home, law and judiciary departments before being sent to (then) CM Shinde for approval," as per the order.
This arrangement was made after Pawar, who was then leader of opposition in the state assembly, joined the Shinde-led government along with a several NCP MLAs on July 2, 2023.
Now, with Fadnavis taking charge as chief minister, following the victory of the Mahayuti (comprising BJP, Shinde's Shiv Sena and Pawar-led NCP) in the state polls last year, the arrangement has been changed.
All files will be routed from Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, who continues to hold the finance department, to Eknath Shinde, who is also the deputy CM and holds housing and urban development portfolios.
The files will be sent to Fadnavis after Shinde's approval, as per the latest order.
Since the Mahayuti 2.0 took over, there has been speculation of a "cold war" between Shinde and Fadnavis. Both the leaders have strongly denied the speculation.
There have been disagreements over the guardian minister posts of some districts. Fadnavis had to revoke his decision on the appointment of guardian ministers of Nashik and Raigad districts after objections from Shinde.
_vb_75.jpeg)
