Team Herald
PANJIM: The Department of Transport has directed that all public service vehicles be equipped with or fitted with Vehicle Location Tracking Devices (VLTD) and one or more emergency buttons by November 30 this year.
In an order, Director of Transport Polumatla P. Abhishek, IAS, stated, “An operator of a public service vehicle can purchase the vehicle location tracking device and emergency button from any vendor, provided that the device and button comply with AIS-140 standards.”
The VLT device manufacturer, OEM dealer, or authorised dealer shall install the VLT devices in public service vehicles and update the device details against the vehicle number on the VAHAN portal, according to the order. The tracking device and emergency button can be purchased from any vendor, provided that they comply with AIS-140 standards, as stated in a notice issued in this regard. Earlier, the government had mandated that the devices be purchased from specific vendors.
The order also states that to facilitate the fitment and repair of non-working devices and buttons, adequate time will be provided until November 30, 2024. After this date, the provision of a functional vehicle location tracking device and emergency button will be mandatory for all public service vehicles, and compliance will be checked during the fitness tests of such vehicles.
After the cut-off date, the provision of a functional vehicle location tracking device and emergency button will be mandatory for all public service vehicles, and compliance will be checked during the fitness tests of these vehicles.