Transport Commissioner Vinay Lal made an announcement to this effect at the inauguration of the Western India Automobile Association (WIAA) motor driving school at the Pune RTO. Vinay Lal earlier inaugurated the simulator installed at the RTO office to assist in the training of commercial drivers.

The Transport Commissioner said that vehicular pollution posed a major problem before the authorities who were making all possible efforts to contain these. Such efforts however required active support of citizens, he said. He firmly believed that the number of accidents on the roads would reduce drastically if the traffic rules were followed in the true spirit. Vinay Lal also gave an assurance that the Public Works Department (PWD) had already initiated measures to improve the road conditions which were a major cause of accidents.

A simulator has been installed at the RTO office at an estimated cost of Rs. 1.32 crore. Eight-day courses will be held for truck and ST drivers following which licenses will be granted to them. Simulators have already been installed at Delhi, Calcutta, Chennai and now Pune. WIAA has accepted the responsibility for conducting these courses. WIAA also plans to start safety driving classes, Nitin Dossa, president of the organisation said.