Patna: Bihar is preparing to launch a major programme to help women become economically independent by training them as professional drivers. Under this new initiative, 6,000 women across the state will be trained to drive commercial vehicles over the next four years. This is the first time Bihar is introducing such a scheme, which is based on the successful Kerala model. The project is being supported by the central government and is seen as an important step towards bringing women into a field that has traditionally been dominated by men.
To carry out the training, special driving institutes will be set up in four districts — Nalanda, Supaul, Motihari and Banka. The government will spend around Rs 68 crore on building and running these centres. At the institutes, women will receive proper training to drive different types of vehicles such as buses, trucks, taxis, tempos and motorcycles. Officials have said the aim is to make the women skilled and confident enough to work as professional drivers after completing the course.
An important part of the scheme is the creation of modern, automatic driving test tracks at the training centres. These tracks will be used to check the technical driving skills of the trainees. After successfully completing the training and passing the test, the women will be given a valid driving licence along with a professional certificate. Every year, about 1,500 women will be trained, so that by the end of four years, a total of 6,000 trained women drivers will be ready for employment.
The training centres will offer a safe and supportive environment, as all staff members, including officers and trainers, will be women. Along with driving lessons, the trainees will also learn about traffic rules, road safety, vehicle maintenance and how to deal with emergency situations. They will be introduced to digital tools, GPS systems and modern vehicle technology to help them keep up with current transport needs. The government believes this scheme will open new job opportunities for women, especially in rural and semi-urban areas, and will play an important role in strengthening women’s confidence and financial independence in Bihar.
