Uttarakhand: GPS to be fitted in vehicles used in rescue & relief work

NAINITAL: From now, all vehicles to be deployed for relief and rescue operations in Uttarakhand will be fitted with Automatic Identification System (AIS)-model Global Positioning System (GPS).

“Keeping in mind the difficult terrain of Uttarakhand, which often leads to natural disasters, we have taken the decision to fit all vehicles engaged in relief and rescue operations with AIS-model GPSs, so their location can be tracked,” says the government order (GO) issued on June 16 in this regard.

The GO also asked for all details of the drivers, including registration numbers and GPS numbers of vehicles and names and mobile numbers of the drivers to be sent to the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) at the earliest.

Nainital additional district magistrate Ashok Joshi said that all districts had been asked to start the process of compiling details and submit proposals for fitting of GPS in vehicles. “Seeing as the monsoon has increased the chances of fatal accidents in Uttarakhand, we are putting this system in place to carry out quick and effective rescue operations,” said Joshi.