Akshay Azad
Early Times Report
Jammu, Feb 15: After remaining in hibernation for nearly two years-since the Union government had suggested to install Global Positioning System (GPS) in all commercial vehicles, the Jammu and Kashmir government has finally kick started the process.
Sources informed Early Times that in the wake of Dec 16, 2012, Delhi Nirbaya gang rape case, the Union government had issued directives to all states including Jammu and Kashmir on January 14, 2013, asking them to consider installation of GPS/GPRS in all public transport vehicles.
After a lapse of nearly two years, the Jammu and Kashmir Transport department has begun the process to install GPS/GPRS in all commercial vehicles, in order to ensure safety of the commuters particularly women.
The office of Transport Commissioner J&K, has invited bids for installation of GPS/GPRS vehicle tracking system in all commercial vehicles. "Only those companies can participate in the bidding process, whose annual turnover in last three financial years has remained Rs 50 Crores annually, while the company should have assets worth Rs. 125 Crores", sources said.
According to the directive of Union government, the ministry had also suggested that the states should ask owners of autos and taxis to install GPS/ GPRS in their vehicles for passenger safety. "It will also help improve people's faith on public transport", the directive states.
Sources said the vehicle tracking system would help to check violations like overloading, over-speeding and flouting of route permits. "In this connection, a control unit is being set up in capital cities of Srinagar and Jammu which will be monitored regularly to get the desired results", sources said. |
