The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has issued notification G.S.R 1095(E) dated 28.11.2016 mandating the provision of a vehicle location tracking device and one or more emergency buttons w.e.f. 01^stApril, 2018 in public service vehicles except two-wheelers, E-rickshaw, three wheelers and any transport vehicles for which permit is not required under the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988. Various States and stakeholders brought to the notice of this Ministry that there are difficulties in implementing fitment Vehicle Location Tracking Device and Panic Buttons due to lack of command and control centers to monitor and track the vehicles. The Ministry through notification No. S.O 1663(E) dated 18.04.2018 deferred the implementation of Rule 125H for fitment of VLT and emergency button till 1^st April,2019.

The Ministry vide S.O 5454 (E) dated 25th October, 2018, has mandated installation of vehicle location tracking device and emergency button for new public service vehicle under rule 125H of the Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989 registered after 1^st January 2019.Furtherall such public service vehicles registered upto the 31st day of December, 2018 the fitment of vehicle location tracking device and one or more emergency buttons, the concerned State or Union Territory Government may notify the date for compliance of requirements, in their respective State or Union Territory.

Minister of State for Road Transport & Highways Shri Mansukh L Mandavia gave this information in reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

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NP/MS/IA