The launch of Garudan, a smart bus stamping system in the Greater Kochi area, has been postponed indefinitely

The launch of Garudan – the AI-ready smart bus stamping, compliance monitoring and road safety enforcement in the Greater Kochi area has been delayed indefinitely due to delays in fine-tuning technical issues and bus operators allegedly on various pages about mobilizing funds to operate and maintain the system.

The smart punching system, which was aimed at curbing reckless driving and speeding by private buses in the city and its suburbs, was scheduled to be launched in August as a joint initiative of the Kochi City Traffic Police and the Kochi City Bus Monitoring Committee. The body consists of operators of around 1,500 city and mofussil private buses plying in the city, suburban towns and adjoining districts.

“As part of the project, a network of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)-based smart punching stations was to be set up at a dozen strategic locations in the Greater Kochi area for real-time digital monitoring of bus operations, route adherence and schedule adherence. Real-time punching by scanning a QR code at each such station by the bus crew could be compared with actual bus performance and approved. delays, early departures, missed shots, en route violations and skipping trains,” said a senior traffic police official associated with the initiative.

The smart punching station project was to have RFID-based punching equipment, tracking support, server infrastructure, centralized monitoring panels and automated alerts. These were to provide digital evidence to Kerala Police, Motor Vehicle Department, District Road Safety Board and other concerned agencies. Its aim was to increase the reliability of public transport buses by following timetables and driving safely, while holding bus operators and crew accountable for unsafe driving practices and unhealthy competition between buses, he added.

While the system was to be operated by the bus operators’ association, it was to be supervised by the police.

Secretary of the Navas KM Bus Supervisory Committee, who is also a bus owner, attributed the reckless driving by a section of bus operators to the withdrawal of time cabs from various parts of the city about 15 years ago.

“In the proposed smart punching system, the bus crew could either tap the QR code or swipe their card on the punching devices that will soon be installed at Vyttil, Menaka, Kaloor, Ravipuram, Edapally, Kalamassery, Madavana, Vypin, Pettah, Thevara, Thopumpady and Tripunithura,” he said.

Under the proposed system, buses arriving earlier at the punching station should be exempted from the fine, it was found.

The bus operator attributed the delay in launching the system to a dispute over an amount of ₹3.8 million that remained in the previous bus monitoring committee’s account. “The balance of ₹ 10 lakh required for the project is expected to be raised as CSR funds. The amount is required for operation and maintenance of smart punching units at various locations.” he said.

Published – 25 Oct 2026 15:13 IST