Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji
Panaji, Jul 18: Goa's newly deployed AI-powered Intelligent Traffic Management System (ITMS) has detected more than 30,000 to 35,000 traffic violations within the first 48 hours of operation, highlighting the extent of traffic rule violations across the state.
The AI-based surveillance system, which became operational at 26 locations on July 15, recorded around 23,255 violations on its first day. However, only 17 challans were issued as the Transport Department adopted a phased approach during the initial rollout.
The Goa government has also decided to provide a one-month grace period to vehicle owners whose insurance policies have lapsed, allowing them to renew their insurance before enforcement begins. All other traffic violations continue to be detected and processed by the AI-enabled cameras.
Transport Director Arvind Kutkar said the primary objective of the system is to improve compliance with traffic rules rather than maximise penalties.
"Our focus is not to issue challans but to ensure people comply with traffic rules. Whether it is wearing helmets, fastening seat belts, avoiding the use of mobile phones while driving, or preventing unauthorised parking, the intention is to encourage safer road behaviour," he said.
Kutkar stressed that motorists should prioritise personal safety while ensuring that their actions do not endanger other road users.
The rollout forms part of the state's broader road safety initiative, supported by retired Supreme Court judge Justice Abhay Manohar Sapre, Chairman of the Supreme Court Committee on Road Safety, who has encouraged Goa to adopt AI-based traffic management systems to reduce accidents and eliminate road fatalities.
During a review meeting on road safety in Porvorim, Justice Sapre said the committee's goal was to reduce road accident deaths to zero and expressed confidence that Goa could become the first state in the country to achieve that milestone.
He urged motorists to strictly follow traffic rules, use safety gear and cooperate with technology-driven enforcement, adding that AI-based monitoring combined with prompt emergency response could significantly improve road safety.
Under the ITMS, violations captured by AI-enabled cameras are processed automatically, with challans being sent directly to offenders through their registered mobile numbers.