Chennai, November 1, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Tamil Nadu government has made AIS 140-compliant GPS devices mandatory for trucks transporting minerals across the state, with transport permits and transit passes being withheld from vehicles that fail to meet the requirement from Sunday.
The Geology and Mining Department announced the enforcement measure on Saturday after the final extended compliance deadline expired on October 31. Vehicle owners must install the prescribed tracking devices and link them to the department’s online portal to obtain the documents required for mineral transportation.
The department has warned that vehicles found carrying minerals without GPS devices and valid permits will be inspected and seized. Criminal proceedings will also be initiated against their owners, according to the department’s release.
The requirement is part of the state government’s efforts to prevent illegal quarrying and unauthorised mineral transportation. Linking mineral-carrying vehicles to the department’s digital monitoring system is intended to strengthen oversight and curb movement outside the permit framework.
Under the directions, operators must install GPS devices compliant with the AIS 140 standard and integrate them with the Mineral Management System, known as MIMAS.
The department has clarified that merely installing a GPS device will not be sufficient. Vehicles must also be connected to the online portal to fulfil the compliance requirement.
The original deadline for installing the devices was March 31, 2026. The government subsequently planned to stop issuing transit passes to vehicles without the prescribed equipment from September 1.
However, the deadline was extended first to September 30 and then to October 31, giving vehicle owners additional time to install the devices and complete the portal integration process.
With the extended period now over, the restrictions on issuing transport permits and transit passes have come into force from November 1.
The department’s announcement links access to mandatory transport documentation directly to compliance with the GPS installation and MIMAS integration requirements.
Vehicle owners must therefore ensure that both conditions are fulfilled before seeking permits or transit passes for transporting minerals. The department has warned that violations could lead to vehicle seizure and criminal proceedings.
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