KOZHIKODE:In light of the rise in complaints of abuse and pick-pocketing in buses, the Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) is launching a ‘Vehicle Tracking Project’ to track buses plying in the state.
According to the new project, scheduled to be fully operational next March, the buses would be equipped with Global Positioning System (GPS) and CCTV cameras, the footage from which would be automatically copied to the hard discs. These hard discs can be monitored regularly.
“One or two cameras in a bus would ensure safety, especially for female travellers. Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC) has been assigned with the implementation of the project. Already, the KSRTC Volvo buses have this system, which is effectively preventing theft and abuse. Once such systems are introduced, miscreants become more cautious, and in effect, there will be a decrease in the number of crimes,” said MVD senior deputy commissioner Rajeev Puthalath.
When the project becomes functional, the RTOs in the respective regions would be regularly checking the status of the buses plying in the state. Apart from that, major towns and district capitals would have zonal offices to monitor the cameras in the buses.
The project comes following the huge increase in the number of crimes reported against women passengers in the state.
Some of the private buses in the state have already installed CCTV cameras in buses. However, many of them are not in a position to check them regularly. Once the system becomes mandatory, reviewing of the images would be regular, said private bus operators.
Currently, there is no efficient system to track crimes taking place inside buses plying in the state.