VIeTrans sets up logistics solution for transporters

KOLKATA: Kolkata based VIeTrans has announced plans to launch a solution for

integrated information based logistics service across the country. It is

expected to create a practical and user-friendly elogistic infrastructure that

would benefit players associated with the field. The company has already

commissioned 154 swipe stations across a stretch of 16,000 km of national

highways. With an initial investment of Rs 4.5 crore, the company expects to

have 400 terminals, each within a distance of 50 km by the year-end.

Based on the payment gateway technology, swipe cards are used to keep

constant track on vehicles on a highway. The information so inserted at each

swipe station, placed at a distance of 100 to 150 km, are passed onto a central

server from where the data can be accessed anywhere via the Internet. The system

includes cyber terminals and swipe stations connected to a central server. The

swipe machines would be placed in either dhabas or Bharat Petroleum stations

which has a 33 per cent stake in VIeTrans. It also includes eight cyber

terminals that would be placed at transport hubs in eight major cities.

Through the service transporters would be constantly kept informed about

their vehicles in transit. Each member truck would be issued a swipe card with

an ID number at a cost of Rs 1,200 and would be charged a monthly fee of Rs 200

and Rs 275.

Currently there are 1,500 members on trial. Once it is successful, the

company expects a total membership of 25,000 trucks by March 2002 and the

targeted corporate clientele would be around 100.