The Supreme Court of India has directed all states and Union Territories to ensure that public service vehicles are fitted with vehicle location tracking devices (VLTDs) and emergency panic buttons before being issued fitness certificates or permits.
The directive was issued amid growing concerns over poor implementation of road safety measures aimed at reducing accident-related deaths across the country.
A Bench comprising Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice KV Viswanathan observed that less than one per cent of transport vehicles currently comply with the mandatory installation requirement under Rule 125H of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989.
Calling the situation “disturbing,” the court stressed that vehicle tracking systems and panic buttons are essential for passenger safety, especially for women, children, and senior citizens, as they help authorities respond quickly during emergencies.
The apex court ordered all states and Union Territories to strictly implement the provisions of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules in a “time-bound and verifiable manner” for both new and existing public service vehicles.
The Bench further stated that no public service vehicle would be granted a fitness certificate under Section 56 or a permit under Section 66 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, unless the installation of VLTDs and panic buttons is verified and reflected in the Vahan database.
The court also directed authorities to retrofit older public service vehicles registered up to December 2018 with the required tracking devices and emergency buttons in accordance with statutory norms.
The matter came before the court during the hearing of a public interest litigation filed by S Rajasekaran, a surgeon based in Coimbatore, who raised concerns over India’s high number of road fatalities and criticised state authorities for their “casual and callous” approach towards road safety enforcement.
The ruling is expected to strengthen passenger safety measures and improve monitoring of public transport vehicles across India.