HP equips cabs with panic button, tracking device

Bhanu P Lohumi

Shimla, July 17

Himachal Pradesh has emerged as the first state in the country to integrate commercial vehicles registered after January 1, 2019, with the emergency response support system (ERSS). The Transport Department has made installation of vehicle location tracking device and panic button mandatory for registration of commercial vehicles after instructions were issued by the Centre in 2017 in the aftermath of the Nirbhaya case.

Till date, the devices have been installed in 9,423 commercial vehicles. The panic alarm is connected with the ERSS being monitored at the police headquarters. The devices are also monitored at the transport office.

When the panic button is pressed, a signal is received at 112 through satellite following which the person in distress is contacted and cops are also alerted.

Himachal has become the first state to integrate commercial vehicles with ERSS and the formal inauguration would be done by CM Jai Ram Thakur on July 19, said Director (Transport) Anupam Kashyap, adding the system would also be useful to the drivers in case of health hazard or disaster.