Tamil Nadu - Chennai   

Transport Department to share vehicle database with police

CHENNAI: The Transport Department will share its vehicle database with the police to zero in on criminals and solve certain types of crime quickly.

“All our RTOs have vehicle details online. We have discussed with the police the issue of granting them access [to the database],” Transport Minister K.N. Nehru told The Hindu on Wednesday.

He said SPs/Commissioners of Police and the Director General of Police will have access to the database. The modalities of interconnecting the RTO systems with police computers were being worked out.

As of now, the police gathered registration particulars of vehicles involved in offences from the RTO manually. Though attempts were made in some districts to have online verification of vehicle particulars by obtaining the database, it could not be updated. City Commissioner of Police R. Sekar said the RTO database would help in solving crimes, particularly hit-and-run cases and vehicle thefts. “If the registration particulars are available, we can track down suspects immediately.” In order to have a clear picture of vehicles entering the State, the government had decided to set up integrated check-posts at major entry points to the State – near Hosur, Gummidipoondi, Kandanchavadi and Kaliyakavilai. They will have all officials under one roof.

Mr. Nehru said the government was concerned about the large number of road accidents. In 2007, there were 83,135 road accidents, up from 75,350 accidents last year.

“We had asked district Collectors to find out spots in their districts where accidents take place frequently. Based on this, we have identified 1,283 such spots on highways in the State.” A department study had revealed that this was due to inadequate lighting, warning signs and rumbler strips. The department had taken up work across the State to install these at a cost of Rs.13 crore. In the first phase, Rs.534 lakh had been released for taking up the work.

To reduce the number of accidents involving State Transport Corporation vehicles, counselling was being provided to drivers. A transport training facility was being set up and simulators were being installed. “There are two simulators in Chennai and Coimbatore now. We are installing one in Tiruchi and another in Madurai.” Work on the Transport Training Academy at Pallavaram had commenced. The Centre had agreed to fund the Academy to the tune of Rs.1 crore.

Mr. Sekar said the police had suggested shuttle service within T. Nagar, Purasawakam and Mylapore areas to decongest traffic. “By introducing shuttle service, we can avoid entry of private vehicles. It will also prevent accidents. Shuttle services can be operated by State Transport Undertakings,” he said and added that integrated check-posts at entry points would ensure an effective vehicle management system.

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