The controversy surrounding AI camera installation at a cost of Rs 232 crores is still not erased from public memory. It is at this juncture that the government is readying further plans to splash Rs 400 crore to get expensive AI robotic drones.

The Motor Vehicle Department has moved to buy drone cameras at a cost of Rs 400 crore to detect traffic law violations. The department has requested new drones with AI technology. According to MVD’s project report submitted to the transport department, each drone will cost Rs 2 crore, and a total of 200 drones are under contention to be purchased.

Not all roads in Kerala are fitted with AI cameras. However, the police and MVD are prophesying success and are working on the potential of drones on Kerala roads. The government might also seek help from the central government to buy AI drones. The government is optimistic and is expecting no snub from the central government since the scheme is to quell deaths on roads and make people adhere to proper traffic rules.

Drone cameras will be deployed in areas where there are currently no cameras. If implemented, people without helmets even on residential roads or pocket roads will be penalized. The purpose of drone cameras is to capture all violations of the law on the roads, including speeding.

Road accidents are a concern in Kerala. Booze driving and speeding also need to be quelled. However, the current set of money-splashing endeavors from the government could only be viewed through a lens of suspicion. It is because the AI camera installments were made to bring down the number of traffic violators and death on the road. However, no such target has been achieved yet. Numbers show that there is no significant drop in the death rates while the government is easily minting big money from the public.

At places where AI cameras are restricted access, MVD hides near bushes to ambush riders and then penalize them. The motive is to just meet their desired 'target' of getting money. Nowadays, people fear going out on the roads, and they have valid reasons to explain. Albeit adhering to proper traffic rules and having all paper works intact, MVD will scrutinize the vehicle and find some petty flubs to penalize public.

Only those traveling in private vehicles are subjected to this ruthless fine. Although the transport minister promised action against everyone, including VIPs, no such VVIPs caught have paid a fine to date.

Angioplasty surgery at Thiruvananthapuram medical college is stopped due to a lack of technical equipment. Supplyco is bedridden and facing serious concerns ahead of the Onam season. It is at this time that the government favors spending money on AI drones. AI cameras have shown that no matter how much the people oppose, the government will achieve its target with ease. But how can you pretend not to see the huge bribery and nepotism that flows behind such transactions?