PANAJI
The highly-publicised artificial intelligence-based traffic enforcement program has suffered a second postponement in three months, with authorities pushing back its launch yet again despite repeated assurances that the system was ready to go live.
The project, which had already missed its original February-end deadline before being rescheduled for June, will now be enforced from July 1, marking a third target date for a scheme that has become one of the government’s most closely watched road safety initiatives.
Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho on Tuesday attributed the latest delay to the need for a public awareness campaign, stating that citizens should be given time to understand how the technology-driven enforcement mechanism would function before penalties begin to be issued.
“Though the cameras were scheduled to be launched on June 10, I have advised the department to implement them from July 1. Between now and then, there will be an awareness campaign so that people understand the system. Citizens should not suddenly feel that cameras have appeared and that they are immediately facing penalties. This has to be done in a systematic manner,” Godinho said.
The minister said installations at 26 locations under the first phase have already been completed.
However, sources familiar with the project told The Goan that the postponement is also linked to operational concerns and unfinished groundwork that surfaced during preparations for the rollout.
The official source revealed that the government has directed the Bengaluru-based implementing agency, Beltech, to conduct a comprehensive live trial of the entire network before the system is activated. The move is to avoid technical setbacks similar to those reported at the Merces junction shortly after its launch over three years ago.
“Beltech has completed the installation of AI cameras at several locations under the project. However, during inspections of other sites identified under Phase I, authorities found existing traffic signals and previously installed cameras -- many of which are believed to be non-functional -- occupying the designated spots. These structures will now have to be removed before the new AI-enabled systems can be installed,” the source said.
Sources said the Public Works Department has already been instructed to remove the old signals and camera structures to make way for the AI-enabled equipment.
“Beltech has also been directed to carry out a simultaneous trial run of all AI cameras, with the entire system to be monitored from the central command room. The network will be cleared for live enforcement only after all related agencies/ stakeholders are satisfied with the performance,” the source added.
The latest setback comes months after the government acknowledged that technical and operational issues detected during testing had derailed the project's initial launch schedule, compelling authorities to halt implementation and reassess the system.
The first phase covers 26 locations spread across some of Goa’s busiest traffic corridors, including Merces, Verna, Margao, Nuvem, Vasco, Betalbatim, Colva, Benaulim, Curchorem and Mapusa.
The selected junctions include Merces, Birla Cross in Verna, Bellem, Old Market, Fatorda, Tata Showroom and Goa Ceramics in Nuvem, Gorvotti, Nuvem Bypass, Arlem, Bolshe Circle, Missing Link at Loutolim, Navelim, Power House Circle in Margao, Munj Vihar Circle, Titan, IFB and Ravi Café in Verna, VP Chicalim, Betalbatim, Green House at Colva, Maria Hall at Benaulim, Ambedkar Circle at Curchorem, and Tara Bastora, Akoi Village and Dhuler in Mapusa.
The locations form part of a larger public-private partnership project being executed by the PWD under the Road Safety Authority, with plans to eventually deploy AI-powered enforcement infrastructure at 92 sites across Goa.
