Late night travel to be safe hereafter - Vehicle location tracking devices in all public vehicles is MUST from now on in TN!!
Travelling late at night for long distances in public service vehicles like buses, taxis etc constantly thinking about safety is really tough isn`t it!!
Passengers hereafter need not worry about their long distance travel in the public service vehicles late at night. About 14lakhs of public services vehicles in Tamil Nadu would be fitted with a superb new device. In the future, there would be a vehicle location tracking device in all public services vehicles like buses, autos, taxis etc in Tamil Nadu. These devices would be connected to the control room 24/7. The control room would be set up at the Transport dept headquarters in Guindy.
It must be recalled that after the famous Nirbhaya case 13 years back many courts have asked states to insist on VLTDs for public service vehicles. In the year 2018, the Centre had issued an order also.
On 26th August 2025, Mr. Dheeraj Kumar, State Home Secretary issued an order directing the transport and road safety commissioner to ensure trackers on all public service vehicles. On 3rd September 2025, expression of interest was called by the transport dept from eligible operators to supply the devices and provide 24/7 support.
To get a fitness certificate or FC plus others like registrations, permit issuance and renewals etc, location tracking devices are compulsory. This was according to Transport Commissioner Gajalakshmi. She spoke about how every operator would be checked for tracking devices by the RTOs at the time of FC. She added that the tracking device would be connected to the upcoming 24/7 state control room at the transport dept headquarters in Guindy, Chennai.
Advantages of location tracking devices:
The safety of the passengers during late night travel would be easily tracked down by the location tracking devices in the public services vehicles. By this, travelling at late nights would become safe. In case of accidents on the highways, these devices would be of huge help. Moreover, crimes etc would also be alerted to the police dept with the help of location tracking devices. It must be noted that the state govt has insisted even trucks carrying goods be fitted with location tracking devices.
