PANAJI
The Directorate of Transport issued directives on Tuesday to public service vehicle operators and vehicle location tracking device manufacturers, mandating that all public service vehicles be equipped with a functional vehicle location tracking device and one or more emergency buttons. The department has set a deadline of November 30 for compliance.
In a public notice, Director Pravimal Abhishek stated that inspections revealed many vehicles either do not have these tracking devices and emergency buttons fitted or are non-functional.
The department has also considered requests from various public service vehicle operators for additional time to fit or repair these devices and buttons.
“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,” reads the notice.
The department has further directed the VLT device manufacturer/OEM dealer/authorized dealer to install these devices in public service vehicles and update the device details against vehicle numbers on VAHAN portal.
“In order to facilitate the fitment and repair of the device and button, adequate time shall be provided till November 30, 2024. After this cut off date, the provision of a functional vehicle location tracking device and emergency button shall be mandatory for all public service vehicles and the same shall be checked at the time of fitness tests of such vehicles,” it stated.
