Issuance of driving licenses to be computerised: Gadkari

Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari said Friday that a new computerised system would soon be put in place to curb the menace of fake driving licenses, an issue encompassing 30 percent of the drivers in the country.

Speaking at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit here, Gadkari said: "Thirty percent of the licenses are fake. India is the only country where three people have the same license".

Therefore, the ministry will set up around 1,000 fully computerised centres all over the country, which would carry out tests and issue licenses.

"We will make the entire process of issuing a license computerised," Gadkari added.

The minister also said that cameras will be installed at strategic spots in all densely populated areas of the country to nab traffic violators.

"The fines will be sent directly to the violator's home," Gadkari said.

Addressing the condition of roads in India, he vowed to increase the rate of construction of concrete roads by 30 kms per day from the current rate of 3 kms per day in the next two years.

Gadkari, who is also the shipping minister said that the government was giving the "highest priority" to using rivers as inland waterways.

"Transportation by roads costs Rs.1.50 per km, by train its Re.1 and by water its only 50 paise. This sector has remained neglected but we are giving the highest priority to develop inland waterways," he said.

The minister also said that both his ministries - road transport and shipping - would contribute two percent to the GDP in the next two years.