Financial aid for Bangalore transport GPS project

New Delhi, Mar 20 (UNI) The government today approved a Central assistance of Rs 80 lakh for implementing a pilot project of the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) for executing an online GPS/GPRS based vehicle-tracking system.

The project, to be implemented at a cost of Rs 3.31 crore, would involve 500 vehicles in the first stage on a pilot basis.

The BMTC is currently implementing online GPS with GPRS-based vehicle tracking system on Build Own Operate and Transfer basis.

The financial assistance was sanctioned by Shipping, Road Transport and Highways Minister T R Baalu.

While approving the assistance to BMTC for implementing the project, which is one of the first of its kind in India, Mr Baalu noted that the effort of BMTC is definitely a positive one and would help setting an agenda for other States to work in the direction of improving the public transport system.

The benefits of GPS system are many as it ensures schedule adherence by the bus crew, facilitates control over deviation, provides traffic loading information, is helpful in driving pattern analysis and supports billing process.

The BMTC has been asked by the Union Ministry of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways to provide the consultation for this pilot project to other States without charging any fee and also provide a quarterly report to the Centre on the progress made on the project.

The BMTC would provide access to the officials of the Department of Road Transport&Highways to oversee the implementation of the project, as and when required.

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