SHILLONG: The East Khasi Hills Local Taxi Welfare Association (EKHLTWA), along with drivers’ associations from Jaintia Hills and Ri-Bhoi, has strongly opposed the government’s proposal to make GPS tracking devices mandatory in commercial vehicles operating within the state.
Representatives of the associations, yesterday, met the Commissioner of the Transport Department to formally convey their objections to the move, which seeks to enforce GPS installation in taxis and locally operating buses.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, EKHLTWA president Wandonbok Jyrwa said the association has been closely monitoring the GPS tracking scheme introduced by the Government of India, which mandates the installation of such devices in all vehicles. However, he reiterated the association’s long-standing demand that commercial vehicles operating strictly within local areas should be exempted from the requirement.
Jyrwa said the association had proposed that the policy be implemented first in government vehicles, government-hired vehicles, school buses, and university buses, before extending it to local commercial transport operators.
He also expressed concern over reports from several districts where vehicle document renewals were allegedly being denied unless GPS devices were installed. Describing the situation as alarming, Jyrwa said the association sought immediate clarification from the Transport Department on the matter.
Highlighting the economic realities of the state, Jyrwa urged authorities to consider that the financial condition of local vehicle owners in Meghalaya is vastly different from that in metropolitan or major urban centres. He pointed out that Meghalaya is neither a metro city nor a region where commercial vehicles operate round the clock.
According to Jyrwa, Transport Department officials informed the delegation that the issue would be referred to the state government and that temporary relaxation would be provided to local vehicles and buses. Despite this assurance, he said the association remains firm in its opposition, citing the already high taxes paid by vehicle owners and the additional financial burden the GPS mandate would impose.
He further noted that the cost of a GPS tracking device ranges between ₹9,000 and ₹10,000, and is even higher for larger vehicles. Installing such devices, he said, also poses practical challenges, as local transport services do not function on a fixed booking system and passengers frequently travel on a shared basis.
The EKHLTWA president also criticised automobile dealers, stating that vehicle manufacturers and dealers have been aware of the GPS notification since 2023, yet continue to sell vehicles without the devices pre-installed. He questioned why compliance was not ensured at the manufacturing or dealership level.
Additionally, the association expressed concern that mandating GPS installation in older vehicles would further strain owners financially, especially given that the cost of the device is often disproportionate to the value of such vehicles.
