Bangalore, March 20 (IANS) The central government will provide Rs.8 million to state-run Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) for a pilot project to track vehicles using GPS (global positioning system) and GPRS (general packet radio service) in the city. According to a union ministry of shipping, road transport and highways statement Thursday, BMTC is implementing the vehicle tracking system at a cost of Rs.33 million, involving 500 buses on build-own-operate and transfer basis.

“The pilot project will help other states to improve their public transport system by using GPS and GPRS-based vehicle tracking system. The benefits are many, as the online system ensures schedule adherence by crew, facilitates control over deviation, provides traffic loading information and supports billing process,” the statement said.

The ministry also directed BMTC to provide free consultation to other states for replicating the project and submit a quarterly report to the government on the progress made on the project.