West Bengal: All passenger cars, buses, cabs, goods vehicles to get new vehicle location tracking system

All passenger cars, buses, cabs and goods vehicles in West Bengal are set to get a new vehicle location tracking system. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banejee inaugurated the system in Kolkata on Monday.

“The transport and the police department will monitor the whole system for the safety of women. Crime towards women, speeding vehicles and many other menaces can be prevented through this,” Banerjee said.

“In the first phase, the system will be implemented in 1,60,000 vehicles. Keeping in mind women and child safety, this system will be effective. School buses and pool cars will also have this system. It is mandatory for all public vehicles,” State Transport Minister Snehasish Chakraborty said.


“We have set up a command centre. Both the police and transport department will track the vehicles. In case of any crime the passengers can press the panic button and the nearest police station will spring into action. This initiative has been taken following the Nirbhaya incident,” Chakraborty said.

The move comes in the wake of a Supreme Court ruling which mandated all public transport vehicles to have vehicle tracking systems and panic buttons.

The device must have an emergency button for passengers to press when in trouble and it will draw the attention of the authorities.

The system, which includes a tracking device and panic button, would help women, in case of an emergency. It will help track the crime scene and help people in trouble, accidents etc.