Sri Vijaya Puram, November 11: Commercial vehicle owners and operators across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands have been warned against removing, disconnecting or tampering with mandatory road-safety devices after obtaining fitness certificates, with the Transport Department announcing stricter inspections and enforcement measures to ensure compliance with motor vehicle regulations.
The warning comes amid concerns that some vehicle owners and operators allegedly remove or disable safety equipment after their vehicles have passed fitness inspections. Such practices not only violate statutory requirements but can also undermine road safety, particularly when vehicles carrying passengers or goods operate without functioning speed-control and emergency-response systems.
The Transport Department, Andaman and Nicobar Administration, has clarified that obtaining a fitness certificate or permit does not give vehicle owners the freedom to subsequently remove or disable mandatory safety devices. Vehicles must continue to meet all applicable safety requirements throughout their operation on the road.
Under Rule 118 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, Speed Limiting Devices (SLDs) are mandatory for specified categories of transport vehicles. These devices are designed to prevent vehicles from crossing prescribed maximum speed limits, reducing the risks associated with over-speeding, particularly on roads where pedestrians, two-wheelers and other motorists share limited space.
As per the prescribed regulations, the maximum preset speed is 80 kmph for notified goods and passenger-carrying transport vehicles. A lower limit of 60 kmph applies to specified categories, including dumpers, tankers, school buses and vehicles carrying hazardous goods, along with other vehicles covered under the rule. Certain vehicles, including two-wheelers, three-wheelers, quadricycles, fire tenders, ambulances and police vehicles, are subject to applicable exemptions.
The department has emphasised that vehicle owners must ensure that the correct speed-limiting device is installed and maintained at the prescribed setting for their respective vehicle category. Any attempt to bypass the system defeats its primary purpose of preventing dangerous speeding.
The regulations also cover passenger safety through Rule 125H of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, which mandates Vehicle Location Tracking Devices (VLTDs) and one or more emergency buttons in eligible public service vehicles.
These requirements apply to specified categories of vehicles, including eligible buses, motor cabs, maxi cabs, luxury cabs, omni buses, private service vehicles and taxis, wherever covered under the rule. Exemptions include two-wheelers, e-rickshaws, three-wheelers and transport vehicles for which no permit is required under the Motor Vehicles Act.
The tracking systems are intended to help monitor vehicle movement, while emergency buttons provide passengers with a mechanism to seek assistance in distress situations. Their proper functioning is particularly important for public transport users, including women, children, senior citizens and people travelling alone.
The department has made it clear that these devices must remain properly installed, activated and functional. Removing, disconnecting, tampering with or disabling them after obtaining a fitness certificate or permit may invite enforcement action.
The renewed emphasis on compliance follows directions issued by the Supreme Court of India in S. Rajaseekaran v. Union of India. In its order dated May 13, 2026, the court directed all States and Union Territories to strictly enforce Rules 118 and 125H by ensuring the installation of speed-limiting devices, vehicle location tracking systems and emergency buttons in new and existing eligible public service vehicles within a time-bound and verifiable framework.
Acting in accordance with these requirements, the Andaman and Nicobar Administration has initiated enforcement measures to identify vehicles that do not comply with the prescribed safety standards. Inspections and verification will be conducted during fitness testing as well as through other enforcement activities.
Vehicles found operating without the required devices, or with equipment that has been tampered with or rendered non-functional, may face action under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, and the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989. This could include action relating to fitness certificates and permits, apart from applicable penalties under relevant legal provisions.
In particular, Section 56 of the Motor Vehicles Act requires transport vehicles to continue meeting the prescribed conditions to remain fit for use. If a vehicle no longer satisfies these requirements, the competent authority may initiate action concerning its fitness certificate in accordance with the law. Contraventions may also attract penalties under applicable provisions, including Section 177A.
The Transport Department has advised all commercial vehicle owners and operators, especially those running passenger and goods transport services, not to tamper with any mandatory safety equipment. Defective devices must be repaired or replaced promptly through authorised agencies.
For commuters, the enforcement drive is significant because road safety depends not only on responsible driving but also on whether vehicles have functioning safety systems. A disabled speed limiter can increase the risk of accidents, while a non-functional tracking device or emergency button can delay assistance when passengers need it most.
The department has appealed to the public to cooperate with the initiative, stating that the measures are aimed at preventing over-speeding, improving passenger safety, facilitating emergency response and ensuring effective monitoring of vehicles across the islands.
With inspections set to cover compliance with these mandatory requirements, vehicle owners have been urged to ensure that their safety systems remain operational rather than treating them as formalities required only to obtain fitness certificates or permits.
