The newly inaugurated Command & Control Centre for Vehicle Location Tracking (VLT) in Bhubaneswar marks a significant step towards enhancing safety and monitoring of public transport. The project, aligned with Central notifications, aims to ensure continuous tracking of public transport vehicles, particularly for the safety of passengers, especially women. The 24X7 integrated Command and Control Centre, situated at Bhubaneswar-II RTO’s new office building, utilizes both GPS-based vehicle tracking and the GSM/GPRS channel for emergency alerts. The primary objectives include improved road safety, effective enforcement services, and monitoring public buses’ adherence to permits. This initiative aligns with the Nirbhaya Scheme for women’s safety, with the Central Government mandating the installation of VLT devices in public transport and goods vehicles. To standardize the devices nationwide, the AIS-140 Standard has been prescribed.

The Command and Control Centre serves as an interface, linking common emergency toll lines, motor vehicles wing, police control room, and related enforcement units into a real-time data-sharing network. Additionally, a mobile application has been developed for stakeholders, providing a Commission Geographic Information System (GIS) map for vehicle location tracking. To ensure compliance, the Commerce and Transport department has set deadlines for VLT device installation. Vehicles registered on or after January 1, 2024, must comply during registration, while those registered on or before December 31, 2023, should install the device by June 30, 2024. This proactive approach demonstrates a commitment to leveraging technology for enhanced safety and monitoring within the realm of public transportation.