Transport dept to make GPS mandatory in cabs
10 Dec 2014 1:11 AM GMT
While the transport department is yet to finalise any policy on private cab operation in the city, in a damage control mode, it has announced to make GPS (global positioning system) mandatory in all cabs.
However, it has not given any time frame within which the move will be implemented.
The transport department officials claim it was hard to detect individual cabs which are flouting the norms. “Unlike the radio taxi cabs, the cars provided by the web-based companies don’t bear its brand name or logo. In fact, these companies take online cab bookings without actually having any driver on its rolls”, informed a senior officer in transport department.
He further said there are at least 20 such technology-driven companies in the city. Uber alone hired services of 3,000 drivers, he added.
Faced with a severe staff crunch, the transport department said it will seek help of the Delhi Traffic Police to enforce the ban.
The department has formed 30 enforcement teams of five members each, who work in three shifts daily.
Meanwhile, special commissioner of transport department, KS Ganger said the department will also approach the Economic Offence Wing of the Delhi Police to clamp down on these web-based cab companies. He also said the government will ensure that all public service vehicles are fitted with GPS.
After the Nirbhaya gang rape in December 2012, the Delhi government had made it mandatory to have GPS fitted in all commercial vehicles, which is yet to be implemented by the transport department.
The recent rape of young financial analyst in Delhi by a cab driver has forced the department to push the taxi and auto rickshaw operators to install the GPS and General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), in their vehicles.
However, it has not given any time frame within which the move will be implemented.
The transport department officials claim it was hard to detect individual cabs which are flouting the norms. “Unlike the radio taxi cabs, the cars provided by the web-based companies don’t bear its brand name or logo. In fact, these companies take online cab bookings without actually having any driver on its rolls”, informed a senior officer in transport department.
He further said there are at least 20 such technology-driven companies in the city. Uber alone hired services of 3,000 drivers, he added.
Faced with a severe staff crunch, the transport department said it will seek help of the Delhi Traffic Police to enforce the ban.
The department has formed 30 enforcement teams of five members each, who work in three shifts daily.
Meanwhile, special commissioner of transport department, KS Ganger said the department will also approach the Economic Offence Wing of the Delhi Police to clamp down on these web-based cab companies. He also said the government will ensure that all public service vehicles are fitted with GPS.
After the Nirbhaya gang rape in December 2012, the Delhi government had made it mandatory to have GPS fitted in all commercial vehicles, which is yet to be implemented by the transport department.
The recent rape of young financial analyst in Delhi by a cab driver has forced the department to push the taxi and auto rickshaw operators to install the GPS and General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), in their vehicles.
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