Staff Reporter
Panaji
The central government has granted approval to Goa’s proposal to establish driving training centres (DTCs) in the state and has agreed to amend the Motor Vehicles Act to extend the renewal period for expired driving licences to two years.
Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho made the announcement after attending a council of Transport Ministers’ meeting in New Delhi. The meeting was chaired by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari.
DTCs, established under the central government initiative, aim to provide structured training for both private and commercial drivers, focusing on safe and skilled driving practices.
Goa has not had a DTC as the scheme has been restricted to districts with populations exceeding 20 lakh. However, following Goa’s request, the Union government has agreed to relax this population
criterion.
Godinho also said the Centre has agreed to Goa’s demand to amend Section 15(4) of the Motor Vehicles Act to extend the renewal period of expired licences to two years as against the present one year period.
The new amendment will extend the renewal period to two years, a change that will benefit people working abroad who may find it difficult to meet the existing deadline.
Godinho also informed that Gadkari will inaugurate two major infrastructure projects during his visit to Goa on January 21. These projects are the second loop connecting Mormugao Harbour to the highway and the Dabolim-Bogmalo Junction to Queeny Nagar flyover.
