Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has made mandatory provisions for installation of Global Positioning System (GPS) in all private and commercial four-wheelers and heavy vehicles from April 1 this year.
As per the instructions of the Union Surface Transport Ministry, those who have obtained permit certificates from the Regional Transport Office (RTO) under section 59 of the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988, are bound to install GPS in their vehicles.
However, the new rule will not be applicable for two-wheelers, three-wheelers and e-rickshaws, the Ministry has said in an order.
Apart from this, owners of these vehicles have been asked to install emergency switch in their vehicle so that the police would come to know about their location and act swiftly in case of emergency.
All Regional Transport Officers (RTOs) in Odisha have been directed to check the four-wheelers and heavy vehicles at regular intervals to ensure that these vehicles have been fitted with GPS and slap penalty on the offenders who have ignored the directive.
According to Pradip Mohanty, RTO-1, Bhubaneswar, the Ministry has taken the decision to this effect to help the vehicle owners know the exact location of their vehicles in case they are stolen. Besides, passengers travelling in commercial vehicles will have a safe journey.
