VLT device and panic buttons will be mandatory in public transport from Jan 2019

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has issued notification under the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988 mandating the provision of Vehicle Location Tracking (VLT) device and emergency buttons in all Public Service Vehicles registered on or after 1st January, 2019.

States may decide timelines for implementation of VLT and emergency buttons in vehicles registered upto 31st December, 2018. Two-wheelers, E-rickshaw, three wheelers and any transport vehicles for which no permit is required under the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988 are exempted from this requirement.

The Ministry has sanctioned proposals under Nirbhaya Fund after recommendation by Empowered Committee of Ministry of Women and Child Development. Proposals of the Transport Department of Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) and Bengaluru Metropolitan Transportation Corporation (BMTC) has been sanctioned to improve safety of women in public transportation services.

“Vehicle tracking system in passenger vehicles will be made mandatory from 1st of January, 2019. The notification will be issued for all new commercial vehicles and, for older vehicles, state governments may notify and it will be implementation-based,” said Priyank Bharti, joint secretary, ministry of road transport and highways, in an earlier press report.