Aizawl, May 15: Lalrinpuii on Friday launched an awareness video aimed at promoting the use and understanding of Panic Button systems installed in passenger vehicles across Mizoram for the safety of women and children.
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| Mizoram Minister for Social Welfare, Women and Child Development Lalrinpuii addresses the launch programme of the awareness video on Panic Button safety systems for passenger vehicles in Aizawl. (Image: DIPR Mizoram) |
The promotional video was jointly prepared by the Mizoram State Commission for Protection of Child Rights and the Women and Child Development Department. The launch programme was held at the minister’s office.
Speaking at the event, Mizoram Minister for Social Welfare, Women and Child Development Lalrinpuii explained that the Vehicle Location Tracking System (VLTS) project was introduced as part of safety measures initiated by the Central Government following the Nirbhaya case to strengthen the protection of women and children.
The Minister expressed concern over the increasing number of POCSO cases and the large volume of calls received through women helplines in Mizoram despite the state’s Christian-majority identity. She said the initiative was an important step towards ensuring safer public transport systems for women and children.
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Lalrinpuii appreciated the coordinated efforts of the Women and Child Development Department, Transport Department and the Mizoram State Commission for Protection of Child Rights in implementing the project. She also commended the Emergency Button Monitoring Centres, Response Teams and police personnel involved in the initiative.
The Minister urged the public to actively help spread awareness about the Panic Button system so that people, especially those in need, can make timely and effective use of the safety mechanism.
R Lalrammawia, Director of the Transport Department, explained that the Vehicle Location Tracking System was implemented following an order issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways on October 25, 2018. He said the Mizoram government began implementing the project from October 2022.
He informed that the Command and Control Centre was inaugurated on September 15, 2023, while notifications related to the project were issued on August 22, 2023 and September 23, 2024.
According to the Transport Director, installation and activation of VLT devices have now become mandatory for passenger vehicles such as taxis, maxi cabs, buses and rental vehicles for registration and permit renewals. Vehicles purchased after January 1, 2019 without installed or activated VLT devices will no longer be eligible for re-registration, permit issuance or fitness renewal. However, auto-rickshaws and two-wheeler taxis have been exempted from the requirement.
He added that 2,284 passenger vehicles in Mizoram currently have activated Vehicle Location Tracking Devices.
During the programme, Zoramthangi Chhangte, Director of the Women and Child Development Department, and Lalzarmawii also addressed the gathering and described the initiative as an important and beneficial step for the state.
