Tracking the 21,000 stage carriers plying in the State in real time will now be possible with the government giving the nod for a Global Positioning System (GPS)-based vehicle tracking system.
The initiative is part of the introduction of GPS-based vehicle tracking system in all public transport systems in the State in a phased manner and the automation of enforcement measures by the Motor Vehicles Department (MVD), official sources told The Hindu .
AdvantagesWith the GPS system in place, MVD sleuths can undertake time enforcement, check for speeding, and know the exact location of the stage carriers on the road.
A master control room at the State level and 17 regional control rooms will be set up under the MVD for monitoring the stage carriers.
Administrative sanction has been given for the Rs.6.41-crore project, involving the setting up of the 18 control rooms and developing the software for monitoring the GPS-fitted vehicles.
The Special Working Group has cleared the proposal put forward by the State Transport Commissioner to complete the project within one year from the date of commencement.
Of the funds sanctioned, Rs.3.90 crore is for hardware infrastructure.
The MVD initiative comes close on the heels of the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation, the State transport utility, going ahead with the decision to provide GPS for its 6,000-strong fleet. The Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) is behind the introduction of the GPS in the KSRTC fleet.
MVD authorities can be in touch with the bus crew and can give them instructions if they fail to follow the time schedule, skip bus stops, or start speeding or in case of emergencies and accidents.
The government has asked the MVD to follow e-tendering, Central Public Works Department rates for civil works, and adhere to Stores Purchase Rules.
