Keeping the recent Delhi gangrape incident in mind, the Karnataka government decided to implement a new safety measure for women — Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking devices in public transport, which can monitor the movement of the vehicles from a control room.
![Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking devices will soon be installed in all public transport.]( "Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking devices will soon be installed in all public transport.")
As expected, a lot of citizens are sceptical about when this will happen and whether things will really change.
But at least for the sake of women, it seems a good step forward. Pragdish Roy, a young professional, feels that the move is much needed for the welfare of the people.
"GPS in public transport will make it much safer for women and the public in general because you know where you are going and are not taken for a ride," he says, noting that it must be put in a visible place like close to the meter of an auto.
He adds, "It's not a costly investment — it comes for as cheap as Rs 5,000 and if the government buys the systems in bulk, it should be affordable. I think they are going
to implement it soon because it's beneficial for both the passenger and the
government!" Buses, autos and cabs in the City are to be equipped with the system, which means that the drivers must learn the new technology — a move many are reluctant to do.
"I have heard that there will be some new system put in the new autos. We'll learn it when we have to but I will not pay extra for it," says an annoyed Rehman, who recently invested in a new green autorickshaw.
It is not the actual security aspect or motive that is being questioned, but the delay in implementation is a concern that many are raising.
The process seems to have already begun, though it's only at the discussion stage.
"From the day we provide the order to the agency, it will take nine months to
complete the process of putting GPS systems in our fleet of close to 6,500 buses on
the road. We are trying to extradite the orders as soon as possible. The tender to
buy them has not been finalised yet, but I am positive it will happen soon," informs Anjum Parwej, managing director, Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC).
It's the same story when it comes to the City's autos.
"Putting the GPS systems will help keep a tab on the vehicles and it will not bother the passengers either. In Bangalore, there are a lot of unauthorised vehicles from Tumkur and other outstation places, which cannot be traced otherwise," shares M Manjunath, president, Adarsha Auto and Taxi Drivers' Union.
"When the government gave the order to convert autos to LPG to reduce pollution, they gave a subsidy of Rs 2,000. The GPS devices can only be afforded if subsidies are provided. Like with the LPG or new meter campaigns, we will sit down with the drivers and explain the reasons why they need to do it," he concludes.
As expected, a lot of citizens are sceptical about when this will happen and whether things will really change. But at least for the sake of women, it seems a good step forward. Pragdish Roy, a young professional, feels that the move is much needed for the welfare of the people.
"GPS in public transport will make it much safer for women and the public in general because you know where you are going and are not taken for a ride," he says, noting that it must be put in a visible place like close to the meter of an auto.
He adds, "It's not a costly investment — it comes for as cheap as Rs 5,000 and if the government buys the systems in bulk, it should be affordable. I think they are going
to implement it soon because it's beneficial for both the passenger and the
government!" Buses, autos and cabs in the City are to be equipped with the system, which means that the drivers must learn the new technology — a move many are reluctant to do.
"I have heard that there will be some new system put in the new autos. We'll learn it when we have to but I will not pay extra for it," says an annoyed Rehman, who recently invested in a new green autorickshaw.
It is not the actual security aspect or motive that is being questioned, but the delay in implementation is a concern that many are raising.
The process seems to have already begun, though it's only at the discussion stage.
"From the day we provide the order to the agency, it will take nine months to
complete the process of putting GPS systems in our fleet of close to 6,500 buses on
the road. We are trying to extradite the orders as soon as possible. The tender to
buy them has not been finalised yet, but I am positive it will happen soon," informs Anjum Parwej, managing director, Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC).
It's the same story when it comes to the City's autos.
"Putting the GPS systems will help keep a tab on the vehicles and it will not bother the passengers either. In Bangalore, there are a lot of unauthorised vehicles from Tumkur and other outstation places, which cannot be traced otherwise," shares M Manjunath, president, Adarsha Auto and Taxi Drivers' Union.
"When the government gave the order to convert autos to LPG to reduce pollution, they gave a subsidy of Rs 2,000. The GPS devices can only be afforded if subsidies are provided. Like with the LPG or new meter campaigns, we will sit down with the drivers and explain the reasons why they need to do it," he concludes.