MARGAO
Navelim witnessed an uproar on Tuesday after a group of citizens got the technicians manning the AI-enabled cameras to take away the devices in protest against challans received by motorists in the last few days.
The citizens led by George Barretto, Siddesh Bhagat and others questioned the rationale behind installing the cameras at the Navelim Church junction. They also wondered why as many as three AI-monitored traffic signals and cameras are installed in Navelim when similar measures are not initiated in constituencies such as Shiroda, etc.
In fact, Tuesday saw Navelim residents, including George Barreto, Siddesh Bhagat and others, opposing the installation of an AI camera opposite Navelim Church.
Barreto said the traffic signal installed opposite the church serves little purpose and often causes traffic congestion. He also said the AI camera is creating inconvenience for local residents, particularly during peak school hours when more than 2,000 students pass through the area.
He also questioned the need for two AI cameras installed within a short distance of each other. He pointed out that one camera is located opposite the Navelim Church, while another is around 500 metres away at the Navelim junction near Furtado Petrol Pump. He questioned whether installing two cameras so close to each other was a proper use of public money.
Bhagat demanded to know why three AI cameras are installed at three locations in Navelim at short distances. “We would like to know why similar action is seen on the ground in areas such as Shiroda,” he demanded to know.
