Delhi: 18,000 autos install GPS in one month, deadline extended to February 28

Nearly 75% of all public service vehicles in Delhi — including autorickshaws, taxis, buses and school vehicles — don’t have functional GPS devices, leaving them untraceable and unsafe, the latest summary report by Delhi government’s transport department said.

In the past one month, Delhi’s transport department has activated Global Positioning System (GPS) devices in 18,000 autorickshaws, which is nearly a 20% rise from the previous GPS-enabled fleet.

Only 38,429 of the 86,749 registered CNG three-wheelers are GPS-enabled in Delhi, according to the transport department. (Burhaan Kinu/HT Photo)

Seeing the positive response of its ongoing drive which started on January 20, the department has extended the deadline for commercial vehicles to get tracking devices activated. “Earlier, the department had given a deadline of February 15 for getting GPS activation. This has now been extended to February 28. As on Friday, 58,940 public service vehicles have active GPS. Until 2017 end, 37,907 vehicles had the tracking device,” a statement from the transport department said.

The department has empanelled mobile service providers who are selling SIM cards that are being fixed in GPS devices at pre-decided rates. Commercial vehicles owners have been saying they have not been able to install the tracking devices as they are being overcharged by mobile service providers.

“SIM providers cheat the drivers by taking full money for the annual 2G data pack, but actually they get the service only for six months or even less. The government had not authorised any seller until recently,” said Kishan Verma of the All Delhi Auto Taxi Transport Congress Union.

Nearly 75% of all public service vehicles in Delhi — including autorickshaws, taxis, buses and school vehicles — don’t have functional GPS devices, leaving them untraceable and unsafe, the latest summary report by Delhi government’s transport department said.

Once all public service vehicles are GPS-enabled, the transport department will be able to track all vehicles on real-time basis 24x7. Officials say this will also help the authority to take action if a driver refuses a journey.