NEW DELHI: In a significant decision meant to ensure safer public transport, Supreme Court on Wednesday made it mandatory for all public service vehicles (buses, taxis and tourist coaches) to install Vehicle Location Tracking Devices (VLTDs) and alarm buttons.A bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and K V Viswanathan directed states and UTs to ensure that such vehicles are not granted a fitness certificate under Section 56 or a permit under Section 66 of Motor Vehicles Act unless installation of these devices is verified and reflected in the Vahan application.Rule 125H of Central Motor Vehicles Rules mandates installation of VLTDs and emergency buttons in public vehicles for live-tracking and timely emergency responses, ensuring passenger safety, particularly for women, children and the elderly.The court passed the order on mandatory compliance with the Rule after it was told that only 1% of vehicles have installed the devices in the last seven years since the rule was notified. The court said it is very disturbing that the rules are not being followed.The bench also asked additional solicitor general Vikramjit Banerjee, representing Centre, to explore possibility of installing these devices at the time of manufacturing of vehicles. It asked Centre to hold a meeting with automobile manufacturers and make a final decision in this regard. It also directed states to ensure compliance with Rule 118 for installing speed-limiting devices.Given low compliance with rule regarding VLTDs, road transport ministry has made installation and functioning of location-tracking devices mandatory for registration and renewal of registration of public service vehicles from April 1. National permits of trucks are renewed only when installation of VLTD is reflected on Vahan portal.Meanwhile, 27 states and UTs have set up monitoring centres to track such vehicles, and Centre will soon set up a mechanism for monitoring at national level.
