Thiruvananthapuram: Apart from the 675 AI cameras installed under the Safe Kerala project, most cameras set up to monitor traffic violations in Kerala are now dysfunctional. Of the 400 cameras installed since 2012 by the Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) and the police to detect over-speeding, nearly 300 have become non-functional due to ageing, road renovations or accidents.

With the state government failing to take responsibility for the remaining cameras, KELTRON—the agency tasked with their maintenance—has withdrawn its services. Since AI cameras do not detect over-speeding, both the police and the MVD currently lack effective systems to monitor and regulate speeding vehicles.

In 2013, the police installed 100 cameras across 50 accident-prone stretches in response to a sharp rise in road accident fatalities. The initiative, implemented as part of the 100 System Project through KELTRON, cost Rs 40 crore. However, only 25 of these cameras remain operational today, with maintenance dues pending for the past two years.

Most cameras installed by the MVD face a similar fate. While these cameras initially came with a three-year warranty, KELTRON maintained them for an extended period of seven years. However, the Annual Maintenance Contract (AMC) has not been renewed since 2022, forcing the discontinuation of maintenance services. Currently, only the AI cameras under the Safe Kerala scheme have an active AMC.

The signalling systems installed at various junctions also reflect a grim situation. Of the systems set up by KELTRON at 300 junctions, only 120 remain operational. Since 2022, the Road Safety Authority has failed to issue a work order, preventing KELTRON from replacing faulty parts.

A proposal submitted by KELTRON through the police to maintain the remaining 120 signal systems for an additional three years has been pending with the Road Safety Authority for over a year. Despite the relatively modest requirement of Rs 1 crore per annum, the state government has shown little urgency, forcing KELTRON to abandon maintenance of these units.

AI cameras face funding delays
Amid ongoing controversies, the much-publicised AI camera project under the Safe Kerala scheme is also facing financial setbacks. As per the agreement, the MVD is required to pay KELTRON Rs 11.79 crore every three months to cover project costs and maintenance. However, the last two instalments remain unpaid, leaving dues totalling Rs 23.5 crore. Launched in June 2023, the project is now grappling with funding delays.