Ashok Leyland to set up road safety institute in Haryana

Automotive major Ashok Leyland today entered into an agreement with the government of Haryana for setting up a state-of-the-art road safety institute in Kaithal district. This is Ashok Leyland's third such project in the last 12 years and the first in the north of Delhi.

The company is also contemplating setting up a similar institute in Punjab, most probably in Kapurthala district. An official announcement on this would be made soon, a company executive told Business Standard.

Haryana Transport Minister Randip Surjewala said the institute would be set up with an investment of Rs 10 crore on 10 acres. The land has been provided free of cost by the local panchayat for the project. The institute will train about 3,500 drivers every year under various courses of different durations.

Haryana Tranport Secretary Raminder Jakhu said more than 3,000 road accident deaths were reported last year in Haryana and efforts were being made to improve traffic discipline.