The Transport Management Office in Doti is preparing to open a driving licence trial centre for the people of Doti, Bajura and Achham districts.

Pathan Singh Bohara, provincial minister for physical infrastructure development, laid the foundation stone for the construction of the trial centre on Sunday. Speaking at the function, Bohara said the provincial government plans to prioritise the infrastructure development to provide services to the people of hilly districts.

Even though the transport office was established in Doti three years ago, it started providing services, including bluebook renewal, only from January this year.

Dhruba Dahal, Doti chief of the Transport Management Office, said the construction for the trial centre would complete by the end of the current fiscal year (mid-July).

“When the trial centre comes into service, people will be able to get their driving licence, renew their vehicle registration, get route permission and pay vehicle tax from Doti,” said Dahal.

Earlier, service seekers from Doti, Bajura and Achham had to travel as far as Dhangadhi in Kailali or Mahendranagar in Kanchanpur for these services. Ganesh Malasi, chairman of the Shaileshwori Transportation Entrepreneurs Association, said the entrepreneurs and locals are elated with the transportation office’s plan.

“We won’t have to go to Dhangadhi to apply for a driving licence. This is very good news for us,” Malasi said.