Odisha Launches Integrated Command & Control Centre for Vehicle Location Tracking

Bhubaneswar: In a significant step towards bolstering road safety and ensuring passenger security, the Command & Control Centre for the Vehicle Location Tracking Device (AIS-140) was inaugurated on Friday.

The 24X7 integrated Command & Control Centre, housed in the new Bhubaneswar-II RTO office building, utilizes both GPS-based vehicle tracking and the GSM/GPRS channel to trigger emergency alerts. The center acts as a real-time data hub, connecting common emergency toll lines, the motor vehicles wing, the police control room, and related enforcement units.

To facilitate seamless communication, a mobile application has been developed for various stakeholders, complemented by a Geographic Information System (GIS) map for the vehicle location tracking system. This initiative aligns with the Nirbhaya Scheme, where the Central Government mandates the installation of a vehicle location tracking system for public transport and goods vehicles, focusing on women’s safety.

Under the AIS-140 Standard, the State Government is implementing the Vehicle Location Tracking (VLT) application to ensure a standardized approach nationwide.

Tukuni Sahu, Hon’ble Minister of Commerce & Transport and the Department of Water Resources speaking at the inauguration, emphasized the project’s objective: “To introduce a tracking system as required for the implementation of central notifications for continuous monitoring of public transport vehicles for the safety of passengers, especially women, better road safety, and better support for enforcement services.”

Usha Padhee, Principal Secretary of Commerce & Transport, informed that the State Transport Authority has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) for the development, management, and operation of the VLT application. BSNL has successfully developed and deployed a vehicle location tracking software backend application named “Mo Yatra Suraksha” for tracking and monitoring vehicles under the project.

The Government of India has approved manufacturers to fit VLT devices and panic buttons. In Odisha, 6 VLT device manufacturers have been registered, and 11 have completed testing in the state’s backend. The empanelled manufacturers are affixing VLT devices to both new and old vehicles. However, auto-rickshaws and e-rickshaws are exempted.

All passenger transport vehicles, including government and private buses, school and college buses, and cabs/taxis, will be equipped with VLT panic buttons for the safety of women and children.

Goods vehicles operating under the strength of a National Permit and those transporting explosive and hazardous materials are also mandated to install VLT devices. Vehicles registered on or after 01.01.2024 must comply with the requirement at the time of registration, while those registered on or before 31.12.2023 have until 30.06.2024 to comply.