In a major push for passenger safety and better regulation of the transport sector, the Tamil Nadu government has made it compulsory for all public service vehicles to be fitted with GPS-based Vehicle Location Tracking Devices (VLTDs).

The order, issued by the Home (Transport) Department, directs strict compliance with Automotive Industry Standard-140 (AIS-140) across all public service and transport vehicles under the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989. 

The move aligns with the national framework introduced by the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).

The Transport and Road Safety Commissioner has been tasked with overseeing the registration and activation of these devices. Manufacturers seeking approval must register their models, backed by a valid AIS-140 certification from accredited testing agencies, and maintain fitment centres across the state.

The Commissioner will soon invite Expressions of Interest (EoI) from eligible firms. Applicants must submit their proposals within 30 working days along with a non-refundable fee of ₹25,000 per model and provide complete sample sets for testing. Devices will undergo rigorous evaluation for AIS-140 compliance and integration with Tamil Nadu’s backend monitoring system, operated by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC).

To safeguard consumer interests, registered manufacturers will be required to provide 24x7 customer support and establish zonal service centres for timely maintenance and assistance.

Officials said the initiative would enable real-time vehicle tracking, improve passenger safety, and enhance transparency in public transport operations—thereby boosting commuter confidence.