MARGAO
As the government gears up to roll out AI-based traffic cameras, confusion continues to prevail among motorists over whether vehicles without High-Security Registration Plates (HSRP) will be issued challans once the enforcement phase begins following the awareness campaign.
RTO and Traffic Department officials acknowledged receiving numerous queries from anxious vehicle owners seeking clarity on whether vehicles lacking HSRP number plates would attract penalties under the category of improper registration plates.
Sources said that thousands of vehicles, including both two-wheelers and four-wheelers, are yet to be fitted with HSRP number plates. Many motorists, they claimed, have expressed willingness to comply with the requirement but have faced difficulties due to the lack of an efficient implementation mechanism.
“Motorists are being directed to vehicle dealers for installation of HSRP plates, but the process often takes considerable time. To streamline the system, the government should establish taluka-level centres to facilitate quicker installation of HSRP plates,” a motorist said.
Interestingly, both RTO and Traffic Department officials endorsed the motorists’ concerns, stressing that adequate time should be provided for vehicle owners to comply with the HSRP mandate. They also supported the proposal for setting up dedicated installation centres at the taluka level to ease the process.
Attempts to contact Additional Transport Director Rajesh Naik for clarification on the issue proved unsuccessful as he was unavailable for comment.
Meanwhile, South Goa Traffic Cell Superintendent of Police Rajendra Prabhudesai informed the media that the Traffic Cell had initially proposed the installation of AI-based traffic cameras at 49 locations across South Goa. Subsequently, an additional proposal was submitted to the government seeking approval for 37 more camera locations in the district.
Responding to queries on enforcement, SP Prabhudesai said the authorities would not focus solely on issuing fines during the initial phase. Instead, emphasis would be placed on creating awareness among motorists about the functioning of the AI-based surveillance system before strict enforcement begins.
He added that some time would be required for the new camera network to be fully synchronised with on-ground traffic conditions and enforcement mechanisms.
