The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) has mandated all vehicles used in the transport of medical grade oxygen to be fitted with a Vehicle Location Tracking (VLT) device as per AIS 140.

• All medical oxygen transport vehicles to be fitted with vehicle location tracking devices
• FADA Maharashtra  announces of contribution of Rs 10 lakh to fit trackers on 250 oxygen transporters

The ministry says given the current pandemic situation in the country, the need for supply of oxygen to the health centres and hospitals has become essential. As a result, all vehicles, not on national permit, carrying oxygen (oxygen tankers, Argon and nitrogen tankers converted to carry liquid medical oxygen) shall also be fitted with Vehicle Location Tracking device as per AIS 140.

What’s more, many forward-thinking organisations have also stepped forward to do their bit to help the country fight the pandemic situation. On April 29, leading mapping solution company MapMyIndia was offering free GPS tracking systems to oxygen and medical equipment transporter vehicles across India.

FADA Maharashtra announces Rs 10 lakh contribution towards fitment of GPS devices on 250 oxygen tankers

In a related news, FADA (Federation of Automobile Dealers Association) Maharashtra Chapter has announced a contribution of Rs 10 lakh towards the installation of GPS devices for 250 oxygen tankers. The announcement came following a meeting between Amar Jatin Seth, state chairperson, FADA Maharashtra, and Dr Avinash Dhakane, Transport Commissioner, Maharashtra.

This will enable the transport department to monitor vehicles 24x7 on a single dashboard, which has been setup in the Transport Commissioner’s office.

For this initiative, Mobile Automation India (MOBA) was roped in as it had the necessary technological know-how and expertise to deliver the same in a time-bound manner. FADA’s state chapter has raised the required contribution of Rs 10 lakh and placed the order. The oxygen tankers will start being enabled with the fitment from the week starting May 3, 2021.

Vinkesh Gulati, president, FADA said:“ FADA got an opportunity to strengthen the hands of Maharashtra state administration during the second wave of this pandemic. We have tried to do our best as this is a small contribution towards enabling transport department to monitor oxygen tankers movement on a single dashboard. This will definitely help save lives of patients by providing them lifesaving oxygen on time.”

Dr Dhakane appreciated the contribution of the association and said that these examples of working together with private enterprise for the good of the state are encouraging and he opined that due to the GPS facility the tankers would be able to do a quicker turnaround and help save more lives.

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