THE GOAN NETWORK
PANAJI
When Goa's artificial intelligence-powered traffic surveillance system goes live on July 15 -- if not delayed again -- it will begin monitoring thousands of motorists across the State. However, not all violations will be enforced from day one.
In a phased rollout, the AI-based enforcement network will initially target nine high-risk traffic offences, while action against vehicles without High Security Registration Plates (HSRPs) will be introduced in the next phase.
Officials from the South Assistant Director of Transport (ADT) office said that from July 15, the cameras will automatically detect offences such as using mobile phones while driving, riding without helmets or seat belts, overspeeding, dangerous overtaking, wrong-side driving, illegal parking or stopping, failure to give way to ambulances and fire service vehicles, carrying excess pillion riders, transporting passengers in goods vehicles, and displaying fancy or illegal number plates.
Although HSRP enforcement is not part of the initial rollout, officials said it remains on the roadmap and will be integrated into the AI-based enforcement system in subsequent phases.
"The implementation is being done in stages. The immediate focus is on road safety violations that directly contribute to accidents. However, as per the existing rules, HSRP is mandatory," the official insisted.
The AI cameras will not merely capture an offence. Officials said every detected violation will be supported by photographic and/or video evidence, which will accompany the electronic challan generated by the system.
More significantly, the platform has been integrated with the Centre's VAHAN database, enabling the system to carry out a digital compliance check of the offending vehicle.
This means a rider caught without a helmet, for instance, could also be penalised if the vehicle is found to have expired insurance or other statutory deficiencies. "The system will consolidate all detected violations into a single challan," the official said.
Authorities believe the integrated enforcement mechanism will significantly reduce manual intervention while making it more difficult for habitual violators to escape scrutiny.
The AI-powered system will also help improve traffic management by dynamically regulating traffic signal timings based on the volume of vehicles waiting at an intersection.
Under the new enforcement regime, using a mobile phone while driving will attract a fine of Rs 1,000 for the first offence and Rs 10,000 for subsequent violations. Riding without a helmet or driving without wearing a seat belt will each invite a penalty of Rs 1,000, while overspeeding will attract fines of Rs 1,000 for light motor vehicles and Rs 2,000 for other vehicles, increasing to Rs 10,000 for repeat offences.
Failure to give way to ambulances or fire service vehicles will attract one of the steepest penalties under the new system -- a fine of Rs 10,000.
With regards to the issuance of challans, the office stated that under the SOP, violators will receive an SMS notification within three days and a physical copy within 15 days. Although the AI system will generate the challan immediately after detecting a violation, motorists will have 45 days to either pay or contest it, on the portal.
