Patna: A large number of school and passenger vehicles across Bihar continue to flout transport safety norms, operating without the mandatory vehicle location tracking devices (VLTDs). According to data from the transport department, nearly 30% of all passenger vehicles and a staggering 50% of school vehicles in the state are yet to install active VLTD systems. The situation is even more alarming in districts outside Patna, where compliance is significantly lower.
The non-compliance doesn’t stop there. More than 40% of school vehicles and small passenger carriers still do not display police codes or the driver’s name and contact number—basic requirements meant to ensure safety and accountability. Despite repeated directives from the transport department, these rules are being ignored, especially in rural and semi-urban regions. As a result, many vehicles are operating without any way for authorities or parents to track them in real-time. To address the slow pace of implementation, the transport department has announced stricter enforcement measures. From now on, vehicles without active tracking devices will not be registered or granted pollution clearance certificates.
Officials have been directed to seize non-compliant vehicles and impose penalties under the existing rules. The department stressed the importance of VLTDs, highlighting their role in enabling emergency alerts, detecting overspeeding, and allowing real-time tracking through geo-fencing. The technology also empowers vehicle owners to monitor their fleet through integrated software, enhancing overall transparency and safety. Despite these benefits, the continued disregard for these safety norms points to a deeper issue of enforcement and awareness. With thousands of schoolchildren and daily passengers relying on these vehicles, the stakes remain high. Authorities now face the challenge of ensuring swift and complete compliance before another preventable tragedy occurs.
