Latest news with #KarnatakaTransportDepartment
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Automotive
- The Hindu
Transport dept. to give work order to roll out advanced smart cards for driving licenses and vehicle registrations
In a major technological upgrade, the Karnataka Transport Department has finalised a vendor to design and produce next-generation smart cards for driving licences (DLs) and vehicle registration certificates (RCs). These cards will feature embedded chips and QR codes, offering improved durability, enhanced data security, and easier verification processes. Transport officials revealed that the selected firm is expected to receive the official work order within 15 days. The new smart cards will replace the current polyvinyl chloride (PVC) cards that have been in use for years. These advanced cards are seen as a leap forward in modernising transport documentation, combining robust materials and secure data storage methods. 'The smart cards will be manufactured using polycarbonate, a high-grade material renowned for its strength and resilience. In addition to an embedded chip and a QR code, the cards will include laser-engraved text to prevent the wear and fading commonly seen in PVC cards. This approach ensures that the cards remain legible and tamper-resistant over their lifespan,' a senior transport department official told The Hindu. Officials highlighted that Karnataka is aligning itself with several other Indian States, such as Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh, and Himachal Pradesh, which have already introduced similar smart card systems for their transport documents. 'The smart DL will store up to 25 distinct data fields, including the licence holder's name, photograph, date of birth, blood group, mobile number, address, licence validity, and emergency contact. Similarly, the upgraded RC will display essential vehicle-related data such as registration number, registration date, validity, chassis and engine numbers, and owner details on the front. The back will carry a QR code that provides extended information, including the vehicle's make, model, type, seating capacity, and financing details,' official added. The embedded QR code will allow quick digital access to basic user information by police and transport officials during inspections, eliminating the need for manual document checks. For more detailed data, authorised personnel can use a dedicated chip reader, thereby simplifying procedures in cases of traffic violations, accidents, or document theft. To maintain consistency and quality across all cards, printing and production will be centralised at the Transport Commissioner's head office in Bengaluru, according to officials. 'This centralised approach will help ensure all smart cards adhere to uniform security and design standards. It will also streamline logistics, reducing delays and ensuring faster delivery to applicants across the state,' the official explained.
The Hindu
23-04-2025
- Automotive
- The Hindu
Karnataka Transport Department clarifies on panic buttons, VLTDs malfunction claims
In response to growing concerns over malfunctioning safety systems in public transport and goods vehicles, the Karnataka Transport Department has instructed cab owners that Vehicle Location Tracking Devices (VLTDs) and emergency panic buttons must be fully functional and easily accessible at all times. This move follows a spate of complaints and viral social media videos in which cab drivers alleged that the VLTDs in their vehicles were not operational and, more critically, not linked to the department's Command and Control Centre located in Shanthinagar. One such video showed a driver pressing the panic button with no apparent response from authorities, prompting public outcry. Clarifying the situation, a senior transport department official said that the devices were either improperly installed or not switched on, rendering them ineffective. 'In some vehicles, the wiring for the VLTDs and emergency buttons was found to be disconnected, and in others, the power supply to the system was not active,' the official said. 'This meant that even if the button was pressed during an emergency, no signal would reach the control room.' The department officials say that once a panic button is pressed, the exact location of the vehicle is transmitted to the command centre. From there, an alert is sent to the jurisdictional police station for immediate response. The official added that the department has investigated claims of non-functioning devices and found some of them to be baseless or due to installation lapses. In December 2023, the State government issued an order mandating the installation of VLTDs and emergency buttons in all public transport and nationally permitted goods vehicles to enhance passenger safety. The devices are designed to track vehicles in real time and offer emergency assistance in case of distress. However, compliance has been inconsistent. Many vehicle operators have cited financial difficulties and a lack of awareness about the regulation as reasons for non-compliance. Some drivers claimed they paid as much as ₹15,000 to install the system, only to find it non-functional due to improper setup.
