Himachal gets first automated driving test facility at Haroli

Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri on Wednesday inaugurated Himachal Pradesh’s first automated driving test track and traffic park at Rora village in the Haroli Assembly segment, a project built at a cost of Rs 9 crore. The facility is designed to overhaul the driving licence testing process by ensuring objective, technology-driven evaluation with minimal human intervention.

Addressing the gathering, Agnihotri said the sensor-based track, equipped with state-of-the-art cameras, will monitor every movement of the vehicle and driver in real time, improving accuracy and transparency in issuing licences. He described the complex as the only facility of its kind in North India, incorporating a comprehensive set of tests for light motor vehicles, including parallel parking, junction handling, incline driving and manoeuvrability checks.

The Deputy Chief Minister highlighted that the entire system has been digitised, enabling applicants to book test slots online for greater convenience and efficiency. To further improve public access, an additional building with a waiting area will be constructed. In the next phase, the facility will be expanded to include testing infrastructure for heavy vehicles such as buses and trucks.

Beyond licensing, the complex is also envisioned as a traffic education hub. Agnihotri said it will serve as a practical learning space for school children, helping instill awareness about road safety and traffic rules at an early stage.

Announcing a broader development push in the area, he said Rs 10 crore will be invested to transform the Rora ground into a permanent venue for fairs and festivals. The site recently hosted the state-level Haroli Utsav, which saw strong public participation. Encouraged by the response, the government plans to extend the duration of the festival in the coming years.

Agnihotri also announced that a one-kilometre stretch from the Haroli-Rampur Bridge to the T-junction at Rora will be developed as ‘Vikas Path’, showcasing developmental works along a modern, well-lit corridor.

Positioning Rora as an emerging urban hub, he said multiple projects are underway, including a Rs 19-crore heliport to enhance air connectivity with Shimla and Chandigarh, and a Rs 10-crore synthetic athletic track. Officials including State Transport Authority Secretary Naresh Thakur and Deputy Commissioner Jatin Lal were present at the event.