In March 2023, an artificial intelligent (AI) traffic signal management, with 16 cameras and e-challan system was set up at the Merces junction. A few days back this Rs 40 lakh white elephant, that worked erratically, was dismantled. Recently, the cabinet has approved Goa Vehicle Authentication (GoVA) System, as per the mandate of the home department, and would be run on a public-private partnership mode (TGE July 13). In Phase I, vehicle documents (insurance, registration, pollution) would be automatically validated and if everything is in order, then tamper-proof QR codes will be affixed on the vehicles. In Phase II, dashcams installed on official govt vehicles would record traffic violations and issue challans to traffic offenders. Phase I of the ambitious GoVA could save time as it would reduce repeated checking of documents at check-posts and State borders. Phase II is questionable as many a time govt vehicles are also at fault by over-speeding, wrong parking, double-parking, and rash driving. On priority, the govt must repair non-working signals and CCTV cameras, rectify black spots, and mete out harsher punishment to repeat offenders.
