GPS, panic buttons on public transport vehicles mandatory from April
From April 1, it will be mandatory for all public transport vehicles, primarily taxis and buses, to have a tracking/GPS device and an alert button. There will be no extension, officials said. The manufacturer, dealer or operator will be responsible for ensuring adherence to norms. However, three-wheelers and e-rickshaws have been exempted as they anyway have an open structure.
Only 25% public vehicles in Delhi have working GPS devices
The order had come before too, but the road transport ministry reiterated it amid reports that most states were lagging far behind the target. According to the Delhi government, only 25% public transport vehicles in the national capital have functional GPS devices.
How will the GPS device and alert button help passengers?
The ministry had earlier proposed installing CCTV cameras too, but withdrew the decision due to privacy concerns. Once the GPS devices are installed, the vehicles can be tracked and their current location known by authorities. As for the alert button, passengers can press it to notify the transport department as well as police of danger, so they can take quick action.
Delhi is launching its own drive from January 31
The Delhi government is launching a similar drive, but sooner. It has mandated all public transport vehicles including auto-rickshaws to install tracking devices. Those that haven't done it by January 31 will be impounded. Their permits may also be cancelled on the spot. Officials said vehicles will be randomly checked. Advertisements in this regard will be issued soon, the transport department said.
Installing GPS, panic buttons not the end
However, simply installing GPS and alert buttons on vehicles won't work "unless someone is tracking them," said Kalpana Viswanath, co-founder at Safetipin. "The focus should be on implementing them in the next one year."
