Merely installing panic buttons, tracking devices or speed governors in transport vehicles may not serve any purpose in the absence of a proper command & control centre in each district and each State to track the movement of vehicles and other details, according to the Karnataka State Travel Operators’ Association.
Supreme Court directs States to install panic buttons, tracking devices in public transport vehicles
Referring to Supreme Court directive on May 13 to all State Governments and Union Territories on mandatory installation of speed governors, Vehicle Location Tracking Devices (VLTDs) and emergency panic buttons in public transport vehicles, association President K. Radhakrishna Holla said though the court’s intention was good, the biggest challenge in India was effective implementation of the directions.
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These systems require continuous live monitoring, trained manpower, emergency response teams, integrated software systems and strong accountability mechanisms. Without proper monitoring centres, many of these electronic safety gadgets risk becoming only compliance formalities, he said.
