Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC or ST), much vilified for getting involved in a number of accidents, is keen to get its act together. Around 37,000 ST bus drivers would get extensive training from Western India Automobile Association (WIAA). The ST and WIAA has signed memo of understanding to train ST drivers with heavy vehicle driving simulation (HVDS) system.
The HVDS project is already running at Nagpur recently; it was inaugurated by Transport Minister Divakar Raote. The project uses computer simulations to give extensive training to drivers and enhance their driving skills. The HVDS project would be started in Mumbai very soon.
One of the senior officials from MSRTC on the condition of anonymity (as he is not authorised to speak to the media) said, "The driver of ST is not only responsible for his own safety but also the safety of passengers who are travelling with him. Since there are many lives in his hands, he should be very good at driving bus in the safest possible way. That is his paramount responsibility."
An ST depot manager said, "The drivers are keen to undertake training under HVDS as it not only help them avoiding accidents but to be trained in advanced systems of global standards. These types of training are not provided in other states of India. Once the training is complete the drivers are charged with new energy and ready to go miles."
Nitin Dossa, Executive chairman WIAA said "We have installed heavy duty simulator in our Mumbai office, which is one of its kind. As two centres are inadequate to impart training to all the drivers, similar more centres are likely to come up at Pune, Nashik and Aurangabad. Plans are also afoot to extend training centres in the near future to other areas too.
Numerous attempts to contact Sanjay Khandare, managing director of MSRTC, were futile.
