Agartala, 3 July (HS): Aiming to strengthen road safety and emergency response, the Government of Tripura has unveiled a new Vehicle Location and Tracking System (VLTS) that will allow real-time monitoring of public transport vehicles such as buses and taxis.

Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha inaugurated the system at an official event in Agartala, where he also flagged off 16 new ambulances equipped with basic life support to be deployed by the police and Fire & Emergency Services.

Developed by the Transport Department, the VLTS uses GPS-based technology and is connected to a centralised control room for 24/7 surveillance. It includes a panic button feature, enabling passengers—particularly women—to send instant alerts during emergencies.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Saha said the addition of life-support ambulances would replace outdated practices of transporting accident victims in open-hood vehicles, making the process modern, safe, and efficient.

“This new initiative is a step towards saving more lives by cutting down emergency response times and ensuring victims get medical help quickly,” he added.

Transport Minister Sushanta Chawdhury highlighted the Government’s increased support for Good Samaritans, noting that the incentive for helping accident victims reach hospitals has been raised from ₹5,000 to ₹25,000 as per new MoRTH guidelines.

Also present at the launch was DGP Anurag Dhankar, who lauded the integrated model combining surveillance, emergency response and public welfare.

Officials say the implementation of VLTS is part of a broader push by the state to harness technology for transparent, safe, and accountable transport services, ultimately ensuring a better commuting experience for citizens.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash