PATNA: State transport department has started keeping track on public vehicles like public buses, private cabs and buses of educational institutions through vehicle location tracking (VLT) device, the installation of which has been made mandatory for all public transport vehicles in the state from September 1.
A directive had earlier been issued that vehicles will have to be equipped with VLTs and panic (emergency) button to ensure the safety and security of women, students and other travellers. The move comes around four years after the Centre issued a notification mandating fitting of VLT devices, with emergency buttons, in all such vehicles.
A control and command centre has been set up at the department’s office and all those vehicles equipped with new devices are getting activated for tracking the location of buses and taxis in real time. The department has empanelled 10 companies in the state for installation of VLT devices and panic buttons in all public transport purchased before December 31, 2018 and activation of devices in such vehicles purchased after January 1, 2019.
Ajeev Vats Raj, OSD transport department said that the department will start collecting fine from those vehicles which fail to fit VLTs and panic button by September 30. “A checking drive is being conducted to make the drivers aware about the new system. The state cabinet will decide the fine, which will be imposed from October 1,” he said on Thursday.
He added: “Through our control and command centre, we can see how many vehicles are equipped with the new devices. It will also be integrated with the Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) of Bihar police.”
All 95 buses including 70 CNG and 25 electric buses running on Patna’s road are equipped with VLTs and panic buttons and being monitored by the control and command centre. The movement of vehicles will be monitored through VLTs and the device will generate alerts when a passenger is in trouble like accidents and tampering or breaking of equipment, change routes and also keep record of signal jump and over-speeding of vehicles.
The panic button, on the other hand will be connected to the ERSS. People travelling alone can press this button if a situation goes haywire or if they are in distress. The cops will be alerted as soon as the signal is received at 112 through satellite. There are more than 1,800 buses in Patna and around 8,000 private cabs.
A directive had earlier been issued that vehicles will have to be equipped with VLTs and panic (emergency) button to ensure the safety and security of women, students and other travellers. The move comes around four years after the Centre issued a notification mandating fitting of VLT devices, with emergency buttons, in all such vehicles.
A control and command centre has been set up at the department’s office and all those vehicles equipped with new devices are getting activated for tracking the location of buses and taxis in real time. The department has empanelled 10 companies in the state for installation of VLT devices and panic buttons in all public transport purchased before December 31, 2018 and activation of devices in such vehicles purchased after January 1, 2019.
Ajeev Vats Raj, OSD transport department said that the department will start collecting fine from those vehicles which fail to fit VLTs and panic button by September 30. “A checking drive is being conducted to make the drivers aware about the new system. The state cabinet will decide the fine, which will be imposed from October 1,” he said on Thursday.
He added: “Through our control and command centre, we can see how many vehicles are equipped with the new devices. It will also be integrated with the Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) of Bihar police.”
All 95 buses including 70 CNG and 25 electric buses running on Patna’s road are equipped with VLTs and panic buttons and being monitored by the control and command centre. The movement of vehicles will be monitored through VLTs and the device will generate alerts when a passenger is in trouble like accidents and tampering or breaking of equipment, change routes and also keep record of signal jump and over-speeding of vehicles.
The panic button, on the other hand will be connected to the ERSS. People travelling alone can press this button if a situation goes haywire or if they are in distress. The cops will be alerted as soon as the signal is received at 112 through satellite. There are more than 1,800 buses in Patna and around 8,000 private cabs.