Maruti Udyog Limited (MUL) has tied-up with the government of Gujarat to set up a Gujarat Regional Automobile Training Institute (GRATI) for people from the scheduled tribes in the state.

The institute will offer courses in driving and technical training through different courses. Around 60 per cent of the successful trainees may be placed in Maruti networks.

The institute will be set up in Gajadara village under Wagodia taluka in Vadodara district at a cost of Rs 16 crore. It is expected to start within the next one year. The proposed automobile training institute is expected to provide employment opportunities to more than 12,000 unemployed tribal youths in five years.

Currently, MUL runs 25 driving schools in 23 different locations across the country. It has also planned to set up 25 more such training schools in the next six months as there was a shortage of technical and trained manpower which was essential for road safety and safe driving in the country.