Ponnam seeks Centre’s support for Tealgana’s road safety, EV initiatives

Hyderabad: Transport minister Ponnam Prabhakar on Monday urged Union road transport minister Nitin Gadkari to extend central assistance for key road safety, electric mobility, and driver training initiatives in Telangana.
In a letter to the Union minister, Ponnam highlighted Telangana’s progress in modernising its transport sector through digital platforms like VAHAN and SARATHI, AI-based traffic systems, scrapping facilities, and awareness programmes.
He made a strong pitch for a second Institute of Driving Training and Research (IDTR) near Hyderabad, noting that the current facility at Sircilla is too remote for urban users. “With a population of over four crore and 1.72 crore registered vehicles, Telangana faces a serious shortage of trained commercial drivers,” he said.
The state has earmarked 40 acres at Dundigal for the new IDTR and is seeking central approval.

Ponnam also requested ₹55 crore for an AI-based Integrated Intelligent Transport Management System, ₹176 crore under the SASCI scheme, and ₹43 crore to automate 57 driving test tracks that issue nearly five lakh licences annually. He reaffirmed Telangana’s EV push, citing full waivers on road tax and registration.