PANAJI
All eyes are on July 15 as the Transport Department has reiterated that enforcement through AI-enabled traffic cameras will commence from that date. This is the fourth deadline announced for the rollout after previous dates were deferred either due to technical glitches and the need to create public awareness.
In related development, the government also decided to stop issuing new licences for Mahindra Thar vehicles in the rent-a-car sector, citing the increasing number of accidents involving these SUVs.
After a review meeting held on Monday, Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho assured there won't be further delay. During the last postponement, the government had assured to implement the system from July 15.
Until then, the minister said, motorists found violating traffic rules will receive awareness messages informing them that they have been detected by the system, but no penalties will be imposed.
"The move is intended to familiarise road users with the new AI-based enforcement mechanism before it becomes fully operational. There will be no further postponement," Godinho said.
The minister revealed that a trial run conducted on July 4 detected 56,536 traffic violations in a single day. Of these, 43,352 cases involved riders and drivers not wearing seat belts, while 13,072 cases related to vehicles without valid insurance. Several other traffic offences were also recorded during the trial.
He added that the network of AI-enabled cameras will be expanded from the present 26 locations to 52 locations by September and further to 92 locations by the end of December.
On Thar vehicles, Godinho said the government would have completely banned them from the rental fleet if it was legally permissible. He said the decision had been taken in the interest of public safety.
