GPS to be installed in buses from February

Thiruvananthapuram: The government is all set make GPS mandatory in all private buses. An ordinance regarding has been issued, enforcing all private buses to have GPS installed before 2010 February 20.

Installing GPS would help monitor speed and direction of buses real time, thus easing the traffic.

Other benefits the authorities expect include alerting control rooms in the event of accidents, and intervening of speeding vehicles  

The Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) has set up control room on behalf of Motor vehicle department.

The government issued a list of GPS units compatible with C-DAC software, and buses owners can choose from it.

C-DAC earlier readied control room and submitted software to the government; however the government initially did not show interest.

Alongside, the freight Lorries are directed to have GPS installed before February 29. Earlier, the vehicle department directed trucks to fit GPS as of 2019 June 1.

However, the government extended the deadline on the appeal of the truck owners. Vehicles without GPS attending fitness test after February 29 will not get certificates.

All contract carriages including tourist buses are directed to install GPS before 2019 December 31.

Meanwhile, the Centre has made GPS mandatory for new public vehicles as of 2019.