Odisha extends implementation of vehicle tracking devices again for passenger’s safety

Bhubaneswar: The state government once again has extended the deadline for implementation of the Vehicle Location Tracking Devices (VLTD) in Odisha.

As per the reports, the State Transport Department is planning to implement it by the first week of October. It has put the blame on the consultant and the lack of proper infrastructure for the extension of the deadline.

“Our consultant, BSNL has taken two more months of time. We hope we will be able to implement the VLTD on all the passenger vehicles very shortly, most probably by September last or the first week of October this year,” said Lalmohan Sethi, Additional Transport Commissioner.

“I am sure the passengers will definitely feel safer after the implementation of VLTD. And the accidents will be minimized as well,” he added.

Notably, the State Transport Department had issued a notification in September 2022 saying VLTD will be implemented by April 2023. But later it extended the deadline for the same by three months, till June 30, 2023. However, the department again extended the deadline till October.

The objective of VLTD is to have a tracking system for continuous monitoring of public transport vehicles for better passenger safety, road safety, and support for enforcement services. Reportedly, the installation of VLTD will not apply in the case of two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and e-rickshaws.

VLTD is a GPRS-based device that will track the real-time location of the vehicle. This will also help to keep an eye on the direction of the vehicle and even its speed. The device will also have a panic button for the passengers, when pressed, it will send an SOS to the nearest police station, RTO, and the owner of the vehicle.