PANAJI
Fake identities used to hire cars and two-wheelers before disappearing into the streets could soon become harder to use in Goa, with the police planning a real-time system to verify the identity of every renter before a vehicle is handed over.
The system, proposed by Director General of Police Alok Kumar, will require rent-a-car and rent-a-bike operators to upload customers’ Aadhaar cards and driving licences on a mobile application before handing over the keys.
“Police officers will be able to verify the authenticity of the documents in real time. The proposal has been made in view of multiple criminal cases in which accused persons allegedly submit fake identification documents to rent vehicles and subsequently use them in offences, including theft and chain snatching,” an official said.
The proposed digital verification system is aimed at creating a verified trail from the moment a rental vehicle is handed over, making it harder for criminals to use forged documents to conceal their identities and helping police investigations move faster. The existing Goa Police mobile application could be upgraded to accommodate the system.
The proposal was among several measures discussed by the police to strengthen surveillance and road safety. The department is also considering access to GPS data from public transport vehicles, which could help track movements during investigations and improve monitoring of public transport.
The police are also considering stricter enforcement against drunk driving, including increased roadside checks, as part of broader road-safety measures.
