Shillong: Several local vehicle operators’ associations in Meghalaya have approached Deputy Chief Minister in-charge of Transport Sniawbhalang Dhar, seeking withdrawal of the requirement to install Vehicle Location Tracking (VLT) devices in vehicles operating within district limits.
In their representation, the operators argued that the directive would impose an avoidable financial strain on small-scale drivers and owners who primarily operate locally.
They maintained that vehicles plying short routes within districts do not require constant tracking and that the mandate fails to account for the ground realities of local transport services.
East Khasi Hills Local Taxi Welfare Association president Wandonbok Jyrwa said the expense involved in procuring, installing and maintaining the tracking devices would disproportionately affect economically weaker drivers.
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He also flagged concerns related to data privacy and technical reliability, stating that clear safeguards on how vehicle data would be stored and used are yet to be communicated.
The associations pointed out that they had earlier expressed reservations about the move and said those concerns remain unaddressed.
They have now sought either a complete exemption for local vehicles or financial support from the government to offset the costs involved.
Calling for wider consultation, the operators urged the transport department to put the implementation of the directive on hold until stakeholders are taken into confidence and clear guidelines on data protection and operational feasibility are laid down.
