Thiruvananthapuram: GPS tracking system must for school buses

Thiruvananthapuram: The Global Positioning System (GPS) -based vehicle tracking system and panic button will be made mandatory for the buses of educational institutions in the state from October 1. The system will enable school authorities, parents and enforcement agencies to monitor bus movements and give alerts in case of any mishaps.

Transport commissioner K. Padmakumar said that educational institutions' buses without the facility would not be allowed to operate after October 1. "In the first phase, the GPS tracking and panic buttons are being made mandatory only for buses registered as educational institution buses and in the next phase it would be extended to all vehicles carrying students," he said in a statement.

According to sources, there are around 16,000 buses in the state registered as educational institution buses, whereas the number of mini buses carrying school students flouting safety norms is much higher. The Motor Vehicles Department is implementing the system with the support of the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC).C-DAC has already prepared the specifications of the system titled 'Suraksha Mithra'. Control rooms for monitoring the vehicles are set up at the transport commissionerate in Thiruvananthapuram and at regional transport offices. MVD officials, school authorities and parents could know the details like the status, route and speed of a bus using the system.

The panic buttons would be tamper-proof and students can use them in case of any emergency situation. Alerts will be immediately sent to the enforcement agencies. The proposed system would also give alerts in case the bus tilts more than 40 degrees. C-DAC has certified the systems developed by 12 agencies. Testing of systems developed by more agencies is progressing. The cost for installing the system in one bus would be around Rs. 5,000, sources said.

The transport commissioner informed that if any school authorities required any clarification, they could contact RTO - enforcement (south-zone) M. Suresh (Mobile 8281786097) or RTO (nationalised sector) P.M. Shaji (Mobile 8547639015)