Transport operators say authorised companies are charging above Government-approved rates 

Mysuru: Even as the State Government has fixed rates for the installation of Panic Buttons and Vehicle Location Tracking Devices (VLTDs) in public service vehicles, transport operators have alleged that authorised vendors are charging well above the prescribed prices. 

The installation of Panic Buttons and VLTDs, also known as GPS-based tracking devices, was made mandatory under the Centre’s Nirbhaya Project, launched following the 2012 Delhi gang rape and murder case.  

The Supreme Court had directed the Government to strengthen passenger safety by equipping all public service vehicles, including cabs, passenger buses and goods vehicles, with these devices. 

Mandatory installation 

To enforce the mandate, Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) have made the installation of Panic Buttons and VLTDs compulsory for obtaining Fitness Certificates (FCs) and National Permits. 

The State Government has authorised 12 companies to install the devices and has fixed rates based on vehicle type and seating capacity.  

The approved prices are Rs. 8,199 for four-seater cabs, Rs. 8,849 for six-seater cabs and seven-seater maxi cabs, Rs. 9,174 for 12-seater vehicles, Rs. 9,499 for 21-seater buses, Rs. 11,124 for 50-seater buses and Rs. 7,549 for goods vehicles. 

Overcharging allegations 

However, Mysuru District Lorry Owners Association Joint Secretary Prashanth Pereira alleged that operators are being forced to pay around Rs. 9,000 even for vehicles where the Government-approved price is lower. 

“Installation of the VLTD has become mandatory for obtaining National Permits. If operators question the higher charges, they risk delays that affect their business. Left with no alternative, they end up paying the additional amount,” he said. 

He also alleged that there is no effective mechanism to monitor the pricing adopted by the authorised companies. According to transport operators, complaints to the RTOs about overcharging have yielded little response, with officials reportedly maintaining that pricing issues are beyond their jurisdiction. 

Action against erring companies 

Speaking to Star of Mysore, Additional Transport Commissioner Mallikarjun Chindula said, strict action would be initiated against any authorised company found overcharging vehicle operators. 

He said, the installation of Panic Buttons and VLTDs became mandatory in 2024. While about 2.72 lakh vehicles have installed the devices so far, nearly 6 lakh vehicles are yet to comply. 

12,000 vehicles disconnected GPS 

Chindula further revealed that GPS devices installed in about 12,000 vehicles had been deliberately disconnected, apparently to avoid Government tracking. Efforts are underway to identify such vehicles and initiate action, he said. 

The Additional Transport Commissioner said that the Transport Department’s Control Room receives nearly 800 panic button alerts every day, all of which are forwarded to the Police for verification. 

Of these, only about 60 complaints are found to be genuine, leading to timely assistance for those in distress. Most of the remaining alerts turn out to be false alarms, often triggered by schoolchildren pressing the panic button for fun while travelling in buses, he added.