Karnataka: GPS-Enabled Tracking Made Mandatory For Buses, Trucks

The Department of Transport in Karnataka has made it compulsory for all buses and trucks to have a GPS-enabled tracking system. This is being done to stop permits from being misused, improve safety for women and children and crack down on those who evade taxes. The rule shall be applicable from the first day of 2019.

Deccan Herald quoted Transport Commissioner V P Ikkeri as saying, “To begin with, the vehicle location tracking system will be installed in buses and trucks. Subsequently, the government will decide whether to implement the same in all vehicles.”

A government-appointed data centre will register the details of the vehicles. This way, the routes of the vehicles can be tracked. The information can be accessed by the police, if need be. Prior to this move being implemented, only certain private operators kept track of their vehicles. Now, the government can be vigilant.

The Central government has issued an order for the use of high-security number plates beginning April 2019. The circular was issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).