Ahmedabad Ramps Up Traffic Surveillance with AI Dashcams on Buses
Drivers in Ahmedabad who believe they can evade police or CCTV cameras after committing traffic offences are in for a rude awakening. The city is rolling out an advanced, mobile surveillance system that leaves little room for escape. The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) is taking traffic enforcement to the next level by deploying cutting-edge technology on its public transport fleet.
Massive Investment in AI-Powered Dashcams
The AMC's e-governance department has floated a tender worth Rs 26 crore to install 1,000 dashcams on AMTS and BRTS buses. This initiative aims to provide a comprehensive, real-time view of traffic violations across the city. Unlike static cameras, these mobile units will capture offences on the move, significantly expanding the surveillance net.
An anonymous AMC official revealed that these are not ordinary dashcams. Equipped with artificial intelligence, they will perform dual functions. Primarily, they will record traffic violations to generate e-challans instantly. Additionally, they will identify and report infrastructure issues such as potholes and roadside rubbish, relaying this data directly to the command control centre in Paldi.
Building on Previous Surveillance Efforts
This new project builds upon Ahmedabad's existing traffic monitoring infrastructure. Nine years ago, the Ahmedabad Smart City Company, managed by AMC, initiated the Safe and Secure Ahmedabad (SASA) project. The plan involved installing 6,500 CCTV cameras at all 290 traffic junctions for Rs 239 crore.
So far, Rs 16.20 crore has been spent to install 1,999 CCTV cameras at 130 junctions. Out of these, cameras at 110 junctions are operational and actively issuing e-challans. The AMC now plans to cover 100 additional junctions to enhance coverage.
Current Camera Distribution and Operational Status
The deployment of cameras across Ahmedabad's wards shows varied progress. Navrangpura leads with 347 operational CCTV cameras, followed by Bodakdev with 170, and Jodhpur with 137. Other wards with over 100 cameras include Naranpura (120), Jamalpur (118), and Maninagar (106).
However, not all installations have been successful. On the Sabarmati Riverfront, only two out of 16 earmarked junctions have operational cameras, with e-challans currently being issued from Vallabh Sadan Junction.
Historical Installation Trends and Maintenance Challenges
Camera installation has seen fluctuations over the years. In 2018-19, 242 CCTV cameras were installed at 17 signals. This increased to 1,170 cameras at 75 signals in 2019-20, and 587 cameras at 38 signals in 2020-21. Notably, from 2021-22 to 2023-24, no new cameras were installed at any traffic signals, highlighting a pause in expansion before this new dashcam initiative.
Maintenance remains a critical issue. At a recent meeting on January 31, AMC's heritage and recreational committee discussed that 44% of cameras in the city's gardens are defunct. Out of 458 cameras installed in 122 gardens, only 257 are functional, with 153 non-functional and 48 under maintenance. This underscores the challenges in keeping surveillance infrastructure operational.
The introduction of AI dashcams on buses represents a strategic shift towards more dynamic and efficient traffic management in Ahmedabad, promising to make the city's roads safer and more orderly.
