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The Kerala Government installed 726 AI cameras across the state last year as part of the Safe Kerala Project. This 232 crore project aimed to reduce road accidents and traffic rule violations. Since its implementation, AI cameras have been a controversial topic. There are reports suggesting that the AI cameras might soon stop working because the state government has yet to pay dues to the company contracted to install and manage the system.
Keltron is responsible for installing and managing this project. The Kerala government had agreed earlier to pay back the 232 crores spent by Keltron for this project in installments. However, Keltron has not received a single penny from the government yet. Every month, Keltron spends close to Rs 1 crore on employee salaries, generating challans, and maintaining the system. Despite traffic violations, Keltron hasn’t sent any notices to violators for about a month. Moreover, Keltron hasn’t received the first installment of Rs 11.79 crores from the government.
The AI camera was implemented to automate the process. It would detect violations and send pictures to the control room, where officers would issue challans after reviewing the images. However, the system initially had several issues that were later fixed. The control rooms coordinating camera operations and monitoring violations now face the risk of closure due to lack of funds.
These control rooms have failed to pay electricity bills amounting to lakhs. The Kerala State Electricity Board issues bills monthly, but the control rooms haven’t made payments. According to the contract, the company managing the system should pay the electricity bill. However, Keltron hasn’t received any funds from the government, preventing them from paying the dues.
If the company fails to pay the dues, there’s a high likelihood that the Kerala State Electricity Board will disconnect the electricity connection to the control rooms, as they’ve done in the past. Initially, during the implementation of AI cameras, there was a dispute between KSEB and MVD. AI cameras issued challans against a KSEB department vehicle carrying a ladder on the roof. In response, KSEB disconnected electricity to the MVD office for not paying pending electricity bills.
Despite the state government or the MVD benefiting from the new system, issues persist. Since the implementation of AI cameras on 20th April 2023, the government has received Rs 33 crore in penalties for traffic violations. Not wearing a helmet while riding a two-wheeler incurs a fine of Rs. 500, while tripling results in a Rs. 1,000 fine. Using mobile phones while driving incurs a Rs. 2,000 fine, and driving without wearing a seat belt incurs a Rs. 500 fine. Overspeeding and illegal parking result in fines of Rs. 1,500 and Rs. 250, respectively.
Even the Transport Minister of Kerala, Mr. Antony Raju pointed out that after implementing the new system, there has been a drop in number of road accidents and violations. One reason for that is the camera. People are now a lot concerned about receiving challans via AI camera and this is forcing them to not violate traffic rules and not involve in rash driving or riding.
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