The Delhi government Transport Department has directed the owners of public transport vehicles, including auto rickshaws and taxis, to ensure that the GPS/GPRS devices installed aboard them are in working condition.
The global positioning system (GPS) and general packet radio services (GPRS) devices are wireless navigation systems that are used for tracking purposes.
The Department said it would launch a special drive from March 1 to initiate action against such vehicles, which would include the issuance of fines, impounding vehicles and termination of permits, for violations of the directive aimed at ensuring safety of passengers on public transport.
A public notice to this effect, announcing that, as per the permit conditions, public transport vehicles, including autos, taxis, buses and gramin sewa, were required to install the GPS/GPRS devices that are in working condition by February 15, was issued by the Department on Wednesday.
Safety of children
An official said that the majority of the public service vehicles plying in the national Capital roads lack proper GPS/GPRS devices that are in working condition. As per available data, there are 13,000 private buses, out of which over 9,000 have GPS devices, while over 2,500 devices that are in working condition.
There are 40,000 taxis of which approximately 19,000 have GPS devices but only 1,800 are in working condition. Serious concern is expressed over the safety of school children, but out of the registered 25,000 school cabs, only 4,380 have GPS devices, out of which only 380 are in working condition, the official said.
The Transport Department has come up with a well-equipped control room to track the public transport vehicles and receive calls on its helpline number real-time.
