The Road Ministry (Ministry of Road Transport and Highways – MoRTH) has introduced a policy to enable controlled data sharing from the National Transport Repository (NTR) with state governments and the private sector. This step promotes uniformity and legal compliance in data sharing.
The NTR stores registration certificates (RCs) and driving licences (DLs) collected via VAHAN and SARATHI, along with records from e-Challan, the Electronic Detailed Accident Report (eDAR), and the National Electronic Toll Collection (NETC) FASTag system. It currently holds over 390 million vehicle records, 220 million driving licences, and related datasets.
Guidelines and framework
The ministry released the circular on 18 August, highlighting new guidelines that align with consent-based data sharing requirements. The policy defines procedures, safeguards, and modes for data sharing through VAHAN, SARATHI, e-Challan, eDAR and FASTag. It supports government projects, academic research, and initiatives that enhance ease of living and doing business.
MoRTH stated that controlled data sharing boosts services and supports data-driven decision-making for government agencies, private organisations, and researchers.
Access and safeguards
The policy addresses increasing demand from citizens, academics, and private entities for data access. The Road Ministry has directed state governments to ensure electronic monitoring and road safety enforcement under Section 136A of the Motor Vehicles Act while protecting against data breaches.
Moreover, the framework promotes seamless integration of external applications with the Transport National Register; consequently, it reduces duplication and, in turn, enhances access to authentic data. As a result, it benefits citizens, researchers, private organisations, and government bodies.
Data sharing will take place through APIs, login-based access, password-protected bulk data, mobile apps, and public platforms depending on the category and type of data.
MoRTH maintains the NTR under Sections 25A and 62B of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
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