Daijiworld Media Network – Panaji

Panaji, Jul 7: The Goa government has reaffirmed that AI-enabled traffic cameras will begin enforcing traffic rules across the state from Jul. 15, ruling out any further postponement after three earlier deadlines were deferred due to technical issues and public awareness initiatives.

Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho announced the decision after a review meeting on Monday, stating that motorists violating traffic rules before Jul. 15 will receive awareness messages informing them that they have been detected by the AI-based system, but no fines will be imposed during this period.

"The move is intended to familiarise road users with the new AI-based enforcement mechanism before it becomes fully operational. There will be no further postponement," Godinho said.

The minister revealed that a trial run conducted on Jul. 4 recorded 56,536 traffic violations in a single day. Of these, 43,352 cases involved motorists not wearing seat belts, while 13,072 cases were related to vehicles operating without valid insurance. The trial also detected several other traffic offences.

He said the AI camera network, currently installed at 26 locations, will be expanded to 52 locations by September and further to 92 locations by the end of December.

In a related decision, the state government has stopped issuing new licences for Mahindra Thar SUVs in the rent-a-car sector, citing the rising number of accidents involving the vehicles.

Godinho said the government would have completely prohibited Mahindra Thar vehicles from the rental fleet if legal provisions had permitted it, adding that the decision was taken in the interest of public safety.