In March 2023, at the busy intersection of Merces junction 16 Artificial Intelligence (AI) cameras and traffic signal management were installed. The Rs 40 lakh system was set up by a Bengaluru company and 30% of the revenue from fines was to be shared with the government. A month-long mock run ‘caught’ 3,000 violators. After some days the system worked erratically and no proper response from nor repairs were carried out. During the Aug 2023 Assembly session, the Minister for Urban Development Vishwajit Rane shelved the proposal to install 15 more AI system cameras. In March 2025, the system stopped working and in July 2025 it was dismantled by the District Road Safety Committee North. Waste of public money. From July 1, 2026, at 26 strategic sites AI based traffic enforcement cameras would be installed. Prior to the scheduled launch, the department would educate the people and disclose the main junctions and main roads where the cameras would be erected (TGE June 10, 2026). Why divulge this information? The government on priority must rectify the hundreds of non-working traffic lights, identify black spots, and mete out harsh punishment to repeat traffic offenders.
