Mangaluru: The roads in the city are such that they can easily pass off as a puddle during rainy season and a crater during the dry season. When such is the condition of the road, then why should the driving test lanes be in good shape?

Well, the plight of the driving test track at Vamanjoor, about 8.5 kms from the city is in such deplorable state that it will make chills run down the spines of already nervous driving licence applicants.

The ones who have tried their luck on these lanes say that they were confused if they were for driving test or for some dirt track race because of the bumpy, dusty roads.

Potholes and boulders used for demarcation, the driving test track is crying for sympathy and attention.

It is more than five years now that the Regional Transport Office(RTO), Mangaluru started using the two-acre yard to conduct tests. Several applicants are made to tread these uneven, precarious tracks to get their two-wheeler and four-wheeler licence and every applicant only walks out cursing the RTO for the back breaking, bone shaking ‘sojourn’!

“The 8-shaped track is a challenge for riders. So many of us fall in a bid to maneuver that curve,” said a two-wheeler licence aspirant, who came out lucky.

Another candidate was about to appear for the driving test. “This is my second attempt, ” he said adding that many of his friends who took the test in Udupi cleared it in one go due to quality of the track. “I and many like me have been victims of bad test track, ” he said.

Many of the licence seekers say that it was time that the district administration took serious note of the issue and made the tracks usable and also contemplated on bring in automated tracks like those used in Bengaluru.

In-charge Senior Regional Transport Officer G.S. Hegde said, “We have been looking for a standard driving track. A high-tech driving track is coming up in Mudipu and KSRTC has been already given contract for the same. Once the boundary has been put, construction will begin. This high-tech driving track will be used to test those seeking driving renewal only. But for the beginners, the existing Vamanjoor track will be developed in two years. We have sent the proposal and once it is approved we will begin the work. Now the construction of compound wall has begun and also toilet facility and seating for the learners also been provided. Soon the problem will be fixed.”