PUNE: Meru Cabs ' Gupta offers training module for better driving experienceA Mumbai-based startup started a new driving course which offers training in safe driving techniques both to first time drivers as well as licence holders.The training module, offered by Motor Education and Training Academy (META), was started by Meru Cabs founder Neeraj Gupta and includes skills ranging from defensive driving, driving in different climates and a thorough training on road safety and rules.“We wanted to change the experience of driving on Indian roads. The standard learning we have today regarding car driving is `ghumana and dhabana'. We wanted both first timers and trained drivers to undergo formal training based on international standards followed in the US, Australia and Europe,” said Gopal Mani , CEO at META. Mani is also an equity partner in the venture.“In India, about 42,000 youth aged between 15 and 24 are killed annually due to road accidents and 77per cent of these are due to driving error, as per WHO statistics,” Mani said. More than 15,000 drivers from 10 states have undergone skill certification programme from META for the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) in the last six months. “Besides training these drivers, we also help them get placed by partnering them with corporate companies and big hotels that are looking for responsible drivers,” said Mani. Prabhat Pande, a driver with Meru Cabs, who took this course said, “Though I have been driving for many years now, I found their upgrading course illuminating as I am better aware of driving emergencies that can crop up, how to tackle them, basic road safety and also customer services.“META charges Rs 4,000 to Rs 5,000 for the course for regular customers and Rs 7,000 to Rs 8,000 for driver courses.META operates in 10 states through its own offices and partnerships with driving schools. “We started off with a revenue of Rs 30 lakh in 2012-13 and Rs 40 lakh in 2013-14. We are looking to make revenue of Rs 6 crore in 2014-15,“ Mani said. The company plans to raise Rs 18 crore of debt and equity investment to fund expansion.Dilip Chenoy, MD and CEO of NSDC said 500,000 trained drivers are required for commercial driving every year. “Besides taxi drivers, the heavy vehicle industry also requires a huge number of drivers trained in driving and road safety. We are actively looking to work with startups such as META to increase skill training among drivers in India,” he said.