PANAJI
The State government’s already delayed artificial intelligence-based traffic enforcement project has suffered yet another setback, with the launch of e-challan enforcement postponed for a third time.
The AI-powered cameras, which were scheduled to begin issuing electronic challans from July 1 at 26 junctions across Goa, have now been deferred to July 15. Even the new date is not final, as Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho stated that a decision on commencing enforcement would be taken only after a review meeting on July 6.
The latest postponement extends a series of delays that have plagued one of the government’s most publicised road safety initiatives. The project was originally slated for implementation by the end of February before being shifted to June and subsequently to July 1. It has now missed all three announced target dates.
Godinho attributed the latest deferment to the need for greater public awareness about the AI-based enforcement system, saying the government wanted motorists to be adequately informed before penalties began. The same reason had earlier been cited when enforcement was deferred during the project’s previous rescheduling.
“We have postponed the implementation to create greater public awareness. A decision on enforcing the system from July 15 will be taken at the review meeting scheduled on July 6,” the minister said.
He added that the CCTV surveillance network would eventually be expanded across Goa, with the government opting for a phased implementation instead of forced rollout.
The latest delay comes months after the government acknowledged that technical and operational issues detected during trial runs had disrupted the project’s original launch schedule.
The first phase of the AI-based traffic enforcement network covers 26 high-traffic junctions across Merces, Verna, Margao, Nuvem, Vasco, Betalbatim, Colva, Benaulim, Curchorem and Mapusa. The identified locations include Merces, Birla Cross in Verna, Bellem, Old Market, Fatorda, Tata Showroom, 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, 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.
