GPS devices remain non-functional even as the govt orders for fresh ones in taxis
The Delhi government, along with other concerned authorities including the transport department and Delhi Police failed to make any monitoring unit to keep a tab on the functioning of GPS meters installed in as many as 40,000 auto-rickshaws plying across the city. As a result, the installation of the GPS meters that was made mandatory during the Sheila Dikshit government proves to be of no avail.
Recently, the Delhi government has made it mandatory for all taxi operators too to install GPS meters in their vehicles, to ensure safety of women. Earlier, after the Nirbhaya gang-rape, Dikshit emphasised that installing of GPS meters in auto-rickshaws would make women feel safe. Also, a special panic button was fixed within the meter for further comfort and security of passengers.
However, in actuality, the panic-buttons do not function, as in most cases, the GPS meters remain non-functional. Also, it has been learnt that in the past two years, the Delhi government has failed to set any monitoring unit dedicated for these GPS meters. “Though the transport department has taken credits for installing as many as 40,000 GPS devices and panic buttons in auto-rickshaws, they have failed to monitor the movements of vehicles through GPS. There is no monitoring unit in the transport department,” said a senior police official, requesting anonymity. Installation of GPS, printer with fare meter and panic button in each vehicle was made mandatory during the alteration of auto and taxi fares in June 2009.
“Transport department had claimed that if a passenger-in-need pressed the panic button it would directly flash a message in the police control room and concerned officials would transmit the message to nearby police stations and patrolling vehicles, including PCR vans and motor-cycles.
Unfortunately, even after two years, the concerned officials have failed to implement the process,” said Rajendra Soni, president of one of the largest auto-rickshaw unions in the Capital.
The meters were installed for Rs 18,800 (one-time payment), followed by a yearly maintenance fee of Rs 2,750.
There are around 80,000 auto-rickshaws in the city and in the near future around 20,000 more auto-rickshaws will be seen on Delhi roads that will specifically provide services in NCR and another 10,000 auto-rickshaws will be issued to the general category.
Recently, the Delhi government has made it mandatory for all taxi operators too to install GPS meters in their vehicles, to ensure safety of women. Earlier, after the Nirbhaya gang-rape, Dikshit emphasised that installing of GPS meters in auto-rickshaws would make women feel safe. Also, a special panic button was fixed within the meter for further comfort and security of passengers.
However, in actuality, the panic-buttons do not function, as in most cases, the GPS meters remain non-functional. Also, it has been learnt that in the past two years, the Delhi government has failed to set any monitoring unit dedicated for these GPS meters. “Though the transport department has taken credits for installing as many as 40,000 GPS devices and panic buttons in auto-rickshaws, they have failed to monitor the movements of vehicles through GPS. There is no monitoring unit in the transport department,” said a senior police official, requesting anonymity. Installation of GPS, printer with fare meter and panic button in each vehicle was made mandatory during the alteration of auto and taxi fares in June 2009.
“Transport department had claimed that if a passenger-in-need pressed the panic button it would directly flash a message in the police control room and concerned officials would transmit the message to nearby police stations and patrolling vehicles, including PCR vans and motor-cycles.
Unfortunately, even after two years, the concerned officials have failed to implement the process,” said Rajendra Soni, president of one of the largest auto-rickshaw unions in the Capital.
The meters were installed for Rs 18,800 (one-time payment), followed by a yearly maintenance fee of Rs 2,750.
There are around 80,000 auto-rickshaws in the city and in the near future around 20,000 more auto-rickshaws will be seen on Delhi roads that will specifically provide services in NCR and another 10,000 auto-rickshaws will be issued to the general category.