Microdots - Union Ministry drafts rules to make microdots must in Vehicles

Union Ministry has drafted rules to make microdots mandatory in vehicles to prevent vehicles theft. Automobile manufacturers will soon have to etch Microdots on any vehicle. this move is aimed to make India free from vehicle thefts .

Table of Contents:-

• Background
• What are Microdots?
• Draft Rules by Government
• How it works?
• How costly is this feature?
• How many microdots will be needed?

Union Ministry has drafted rules to make microdots mandatory in vehicles. Therefore, automobile manufacturers will soon have to etch Microdots on any vehicle or component for tracing them.

Background:-

Annually about 2.14 lakh vehicles are stolen across the country with Delhi topping the list at 38,644 in 2016, which translates to over 100 vehicles daily, followed by UP (34,480) and Maharashtra (22,435). Therefore, this move is aimed to make India free from vehicle thefts and spurious spare parts.

What are Microdots?

Microdots are Nano-size (0.5 mm) metal particles that will carry information including the personal identification number (PIN) or the vehicle identification number (VIN) so that these can be traced.

Microdots are neither visible to the naked eye nor can they be removed without damaging the asset

In South Africa, it is a legal requirement to have microdot fitted to all new vehicles sold since September 2012 and to all vehicles that require a police clearance.

Draft Rules by Government:-

The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways issued Draft rules making Microdots mandatory in vehicles, amending Central Motor vehicles rules, 1989.

It allows motor-vehicles & their parts, assemblies, components, sub-assemblies to be affixed with permanent & nearly invisible microdots.

According to Draft Rules, Microdots are to comply with AIS 155 requirements, if affixed.

How it works?

Microdots technology involves spraying thousands of microscopic dots onto vehicles or other assets to form a unique identification number. These can only be detected using ultraviolet light or readable by microscope.

Therefore, Indian manufacturers will have to use at least 10 alpha-numeric characters and the adhesive and the coating material to be used would be such that the details etched would remain in a readable condition for at least 15 years after fitment.

How costly is this feature?

Industry sources said the additional cost for this feature could be less than Rs.1000 once the numbers increase substantially.

How many Microdots will be needed?

According to sources, trucks, buses, and cars will have at least 10,000 microdots, with 70 percent of them being applied and fitted to a minimum of five pre-set positions on the vehicle, whereas on two-wheelers you can expect at least 5,000 microdots.