Roadside vehicle inspection to be reintroduced in Kerala despite AI camera prowess

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As per reports, the transport department is putting undue pressure on MVD officials to restart the previously dropped vehicle checks on roadsides despite the trumpeted introduction of AI traffic cameras. The final word from the department is to collect Rs 30 crore per month through vehicle checks. It is alleged that this sudden move is generally aimed at pumping more money into the state exchequer to battle a crippling economy.

As of now, the AI traffic camera brings Rs 18 crore a month from traffic fines. The current target proposed is almost double this amount. By this method, an officer should register at least 500 cases or else will face punitive actions.

Alappuzha Asst. motor vehicle inspector was suspended last Saturday for failing to meet his monthly target. In the suspension order, Transport Commissioner S. Sreejith pointed out that the cases in which fines were imposed were 208 in July and 185 in August, which lagged behind the proposed numbers. More than 20 officials are at the risk of getting suspended for failing their monthly targets. With such threats persisting, an organization of MVD officials is planning to meet the chief minister soon to allay tensions.

Earlier, during the inauguration of the AI ​​camera scheme, the Chief Minister had promised to completely stop the dangerous practice of vehicle checks on the roadside. Meanwhile, a section of people hurled all the blame on the lax shown by transport officials for not imposing fines that are detected by the AI traffic cameras. Inclement weather and bad roads are also reasons for the increasing number of traffic accidents in recent times.

With the new order, the MVD officials will have to work in parallel with the AI cameras. Albeit the order, there is still vagueness circling the new move as a person will have to pay two fines for the one violation detected. A traffic official can fine a person for a violation on the roadside and if the same violation is caught by an AI camera, the person will have the added burden to pay for a second time.