GPS, panic button must from today

The transport department has made it mandatory for all passenger and commercial vehicles with the national permit to instal vehicle tracking device and panic button from January 1.

In a release, the department said the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), through its notification, has said that fitness certificates would be given to vehicles only when the two devices are installed. New vehicles would not be registered without the devices.

“AIS-140-certified vehicle tracking system along with emergency button is mandatory from January 1, 2019, for all public/passenger vehicles and commercial vehicles with the national permit,” it said, adding that RTO officials have been directed to ensure compliance.

BSNL has developed AIS-140 National Vehicle Tracking Portal to enable all states to check compliance as per mandate and then issue a registration/fitness certificate.

The portal will capture device details and chassis numbers. This will be integrated with the Vahan portal. Officials can monitor vehicle movement and get emergency notification alerts if a passenger presses the panic button.