Guwahati: Transport minister Charan Boro on Friday said the govt will soon issue an SOP to tighten the norms for issuing driving licences.Speaking to the media, Boro said, “A driving test is mandatory for obtaining a licence. However, there have been allegations that some people are receiving licences without appearing for the test, while others do not attend the test at all and still manage to obtain a licence. There are also instances of people from one district going to another to obtain a driving licence. We will introduce an SOP under which a driving test would be mandatory for the issuance of a driving licence.”Under the proposed protocol, licences will not be issued unless applicants are physically present. Cross-district applications will be barred, though Boro said applicants may apply outside their home district if they can provide a valid residential address in the district where they submit their application.“We have taken strict measures after receiving numerous complaints from citizens and in response to the rising number of road accidents. Despite our efforts to implement road safety measures, accidents have continued to increase. To reduce such instances, it is essential that only skilled and properly trained drivers are allowed on the roads,” Boro added.Boro acknowledged that several district transport offices lack dedicated driving test facilities and said the govt plans to set up driving-test tracks across the state.State transport department data show 4,219 road accidents and 1,008 fatalities between Jan and March this year, compared to 4,232 accidents and 1,035 deaths in the same period last year. Despite a marginal decline, officials said the overall trend remains a concern.
