Agartala, February 6:
A one-month professional driving training programme for local youths under the Integrated Green Development Corridor–CREFLAT (IGDC–CREFLAT) Project was inaugurated on Thursday at the Institute of Driving Training and Research (IDTR) in Tripura, officials said. The programme aims to provide employable driving skills to 40 youths from Dhalai and North Tripura districts.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force, R.K. Samal, inaugurated the event. As part of the inaugural ceremony, he planted and watered saplings, symbolically linking skill development with environmental responsibility.
IGDC–CREFLAT Project CEO and Project Director, S. Prabhu, urged the trainees to make the most of the programme, emphasizing that acquiring professional driving skills could open diverse livelihood opportunities. He encouraged participants to use the training to build sustainable careers in the transport sector.
Dr. Vincent Darlong, member of the DCTA Project Management Committee, briefed the trainees on the project’s objectives and activities, explaining how the driving programme aligns with broader goals of inclusive development and environmental sustainability in the state.
Chief Inspector of Motor Vehicles, Dibakar Das, praised the initiative for involving local youths in structured skill development, urging them to view it as a stepping stone toward long-term employment opportunities in driving and related transport professions.
Speaking at the event, Samal highlighted the importance of engaging youth in sustainable livelihood activities while stressing that forest protection remains a key strategy in addressing climate change challenges.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks from IDTR Principal Kanoj Debbarma, who stressed the importance of combining technical skill development with civic and environmental responsibility. The event ended with a practical demonstration in the IDTR simulator room, where trainees showcased their newly acquired driving skills, highlighting the hands-on nature of the training programme.
The initiative reflects Tripura’s focus on creating skilled employment opportunities for youth while promoting environmental consciousness and sustainable development in the state.
