Agartala, July 02, 2025: In a major push to strengthen emergency response and road safety mechanisms in Tripura, Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha on Wednesday inaugurated 16 Basic Life Support (BLS) ambulances and launched a state-wide Vehicle Location Tracking (VLT) System.
The ambulances, procured at a cost of ₹3.48 crore, have been handed over to the State Police and Fire & Emergency Services departments. The VLT system, developed at a cost of ₹5.49 crore, aims to enable real-time monitoring of public transport vehicles across Tripura, improving safety and enforcement.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony held at Swami Vivekananda Ground in Agartala, Dr. Saha reiterated the state government’s commitment to minimizing road accident fatalities. “We are working with the vision of zero road deaths in Tripura. The launch of these ambulances and the tracking system are vital steps towards achieving that goal,” he said.
The Chief Minister also emphasized the importance of the new tracking system in enhancing passenger safety, especially for women commuters. “Real-time monitoring of public transport will help in quick emergency response and boost public confidence in the transport system,” he added.
Transport Minister Sushanta Chowdhury, who was also present at the event, described the initiative as a milestone in the modernization of the state’s transport infrastructure. He informed that out of the 16 ambulances, eight will be deployed with the police and the remaining eight with the Fire and Emergency Services. “Each ambulance is equipped to provide basic life support and ensure timely transfer of accident victims to hospitals,” he noted.
Highlighting compliance with national safety norms, Chowdhury announced that Tripura has initiated the implementation of the Vehicle Tracking Platform for Safety & Enforcement (VTSE), as mandated by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. Under this project, all public transport vehicles will now be required to have vehicle tracking devices and emergency panic buttons installed.
Agartala Mayor Dipak Majumder, Director General of Police Anurag, and other senior officials were also in attendance at the launch event.
