Patna: The state government's order to install global positioning system (GPS) in vehicles carrying sand has left truck owners high and dry.

In the letter issued by the mines and geology department principal secretary K.K. Pathak to all commissioners, it has been stated that all the commissioners should ensure that sand is not lifted in vehicles without GPS/digital lock and for that the commissioners concerned depute officers/police force at every authorised sand ghats and stone chip mines.

The other notice issued by the department on Wednesday (Feb. 7) states that all vehicle operators can obtain GPS/e-lock from Amazon Infosolution Pvt Ltd, the office of which is located at Kankerbagh, Patna.

Rajesh Kumar, a truck operator, said: "The government has made it mandatory for the vehicles to get the GPS from Amazon Infosolution Pvt Ltd and nowhere from outside. The cost of the GPS equipment has been fixed at Rs 15,000. However, if one buys it from the open market, it will cost only around Rs 4,500. Again, there are touts operating at the company's office who are charging Rs 15,000-Rs 25,000 for getting the GPS installed in quick time."

Kumar added: "The problem has been further compounded as there is only one centre from where one can obtain GPS/e-locks and for that reason we are witnessing heavy rush at the centre."

Bihar Motor Transport Federation (BMTF) president Uday Shankar Prasad Singh said: "We are not aware of any such notice stating that the GPS device is being installed at Kankerbagh. The government is fooling both transporters and the common people already under strain due to curb on sand lifting."

"Why should I purchase a GPS device for Rs 15,000 when it is available in the market for Rs 5,000. The government is trying to create a monopoly. Also, we have heard that the device is being sold in the black market," Singh added.