Bhubaneswar: In an aim to enhance security of women and children while traveling in buses and other public transport vehicles, the State Government has made installation of vehicle location tracking (VLT) devices mandatory for specified vehicles used in public transport from 1January, 2023.
Bishnupada Sethi, Principal Secretary Commerce & Transport has issued a notification in this regard.
As per the notification, the specified vehicles registered on or after 1 January, 2023 will have to comply with the requirement at the time of registration.
Similarly, the specified vehicles registered on or before 31 December, 2022, will have to comply with the requirement by March, 2023.
The Transport Commissioner will issue detailed guidelines and process for fitment of VLT device and panic button, said Principal Secretary Mr.Sethi.
Passenger buses, mini-buses, school buses and cabs/taxis will compulsorily be equipped with the VLT gadgets for the safety of women travelers. Women in distress can press the emergency buttons near their seats and expect quick response from the police, sources said.
A monitoring cell would receive the SOS soon after a victim presses the emergency button and immediately alert the police about the location of the vehicle.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways earlier had mandated vehicle location tracking (VLT) devices and emergency buttons be fitted in all public service vehicles with effect from 1 April, 2018. Later, the Centre has empowered the States to do so through notification.
The Centre has been providing financial assistance from Nirbhaya fund to states to install vehicle location tracking (VLT) devices and emergency buttons in the public transport vehicles. The Centre and State have shared 60% and 40% of the project cost, respectively, the source said.
