Thiruvananthapuram: Efforts to resume driving tests have hit a roadblock despite the government's relaxation of all conditions, except for the stipulation to increase the number of daily tests from 40. The tests are not held in most areas due to protests led by the joint strike committee of driving schools.

On Friday, a total of only 86 applicants reached various offices, with 84 of them attending the tests. Of these, 63 were new applicants while 21 sought licence renewals.

Tests were conducted in the vehicle of a driving school only in Chadayamangalam on Friday. The ongoing nine-day strike has led to the suspension of approximately 75,000 licence tests.

In Thrissur Athani, protesters prepared a grave at the test ground. Driving schools in Thamarassery and Kollam Ashramam staged protests by preparing rice porridge. Old vehicles were parked at the test ground in Kollam Chittumala. Meanwhile, protesters were lying down on the roads of Thiruvananthapuram Muttathara. In Malampuzha, driving school employees voiced their dissent by preparing steamed tapioca and black tea.

KSRTC lands inspected

The KSRTC lands have been scrutinised for potential test sites, with officials surveying locations in Kazhakootam (Anayara), Kollam (Chathannoor), Adoor (Pandalam), Chengannur (Edathua), Ernakulam (Thevara), Thrissur (Kodungallur), Irinjalakuda, Nilambur, Kozhikode, Payyannur, and Kanhangad. KSRTC has also secured a driving school licence in Enchakkal.

More discussions needed

In response to the unrest, A K Balan, CPM central committee member, emphasised the importance of unanimity in implementing reforms and urged for discussion with stakeholders.  The minister will show an exemplary approach. He is a 'dynamic' minister, he said.