PANAJI
Already armed with the CCTV camera powered AI system of issuing challans to traffic violators, the transport department is still falling short in bringing errant riders and drivers to book and is now working on a new app to help.
Motorists, who are repeat offenders but neither pay heed or the fines mentioned in challans sent online or by post, will soon face the wrath of RTO and police inspectors as soon as this app is ready and launched.
The new app will have a system to identify repeat offenders caught by the AI system based on which policemen and RTO inspectors will go after them in person.
The idea of this new app struck the top hierarchy at the RTO after it got revealed that Paresh and Meghna Sinai Sawardekar, the couple driving the Mercedes-Benz SUV involved in the ghastly Banastarim bridge accident, had at least half-a-dozen challans for overspeeding in the preceding six months, all unpaid.
It is based on the fact that multiple over-speeding challans went unpaid that the RTO has initiated the process of suspending the driving licences of the Sawardekar couple.
According to Transport Director, Rajan Satardekar, it has come to the notice of his officials that many habitual violators of on-road traffic rules ignore the challans issued through the AI system which has spurred them to work on this new app to trap them.
Satardekar also said, that the app will also help in analysing data and identify habitual offenders, even those who pay up the fines and stay compliant.
He said, the app will be installed on cell phones of RTO officials and Traffic Police officers as well.
No sooner a vehicle which has multiple challans that are unpaid enters a police/RTO officer's jurisdiction a notification will pop up on their cell phones. They will then stop the vehicle and take immediate action against the rider/driver, Satardekar added.
