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Hindustan Times
16-07-2025
- Hindustan Times
Masking the law: Gurugram cops use tapes and scratches to dodge e-challans
While Gurugram's traffic police cracks down on everyday commuters for missing or improper number plates, a disturbing trend is unfolding within the law enforcement ranks themselves. Several police officials have been spotted driving vehicles with partially covered number plates – often using tape, paper, or even scratches -- to avoid being caught by the city's network of automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) and red-light violation detection (RLVD) cameras. Bikes with obscured plates at Traffic tower near Galleria Market in Gurugram. (Parveen Kumar/HT) From the Gurugram Police Commissioner's office to the Traffic Tower in Sushant Lok and the Anti-Corruption Bureau office in Sector 47, vehicles parked at these locations routinely display tampered number plates. Over the past several weeks, HT made repeated visits to these premises and consistently found cars and bikes with masked, folded, or scratched plates, rendering them unreadable to surveillance cameras. Even government vehicles, including police patrol two-wheelers, were seen sporting similar modifications. On Tuesday evening, HT spotted two Haryana Police personnel driving a white Maruti Swift with a Rajasthan registration on MG Road. One of the characters on the rear plate was obscured by masking tape and paper. Some number plates were folded at one end, while others had critical digits scratched out, all in what appears to be a deliberate attempt to avoid triggering e-challans. This comes at a time when the Gurugram traffic police is aggressively penalising ordinary citizens for the very same violations. In June alone, Gurugram police issued 22,215 challans for faulty or missing High-Security Registration Plates (HSRP), collecting ₹2.05 crore in fines, official data showed. Of these, 14,761 were penalised specifically for not upgrading to HSRPs—mandatory plates that make vehicles traceable in the cameras. Yet, there is little evidence that similar zeal is being applied within the police department itself. Many officials appear to be using their position to evade detection—ironically, by undermining the very surveillance systems they are tasked with enforcing. Action if caught: DCP Rajesh Kumar Mohan, DCP (Traffic), said the department has issued clear orders to penalise anyone caught engaging in such violations, even cops. 'I've held meetings with zonal traffic officers and instructed them to impose fines and seize vehicles of officials found using obscured registration plates. Such cases must also be reported to higher authorities for departmental proceedings,' he said. Mohan called the practice 'a blatant violation' of the rules. 'HSRPs help us track criminal elements and enforce traffic rules through automatic challans. If the enforcers themselves flout the law, the system breaks down,' he added. The effectiveness of electronic traffic enforcement relies on a network of over 1,200 surveillance cameras across Gurugram, including 300 ANPR and 115 RLVD units. These are installed at key intersections and roads, with 13 locations. Once an offence is captured, the image is processed by an intelligent traffic management system, which reads the number plate. There, the registered vehicle owner's details are pulled from a national database, and an SMS alert is sent with the challan. But the catch is that this system depends entirely on clear, unobstructed views of vehicle number plates. 'Even if a single digit or letter is obscured the system flags the image as a 'broken plate', and the challan process stops,' said a senior Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) official. Police personnel stationed at the ANPR control room manually screen such images. If a plate is unreadable, the vehicle is excluded from the challan queue. 'Those images are rejected during scrutiny and never make it to the NIC database. As a result, no fine is issued,' the official confirmed. A growing culture of impunity Motorcycles with taped and impartial number plates at Commissionerate building near Sohna Chowk in Gurugram. (Parveen Kumar/HT Photo) Experts working on the city's surveillance network say this method of tampering has grown significantly in the past year. 'Initially, it was limited. But now, we're seeing it almost daily. The troubling part is that police officers are among the worst offenders. They know the system and its loopholes,' said a GMDA contractor associated with the traffic software. He said that enforcement remains largely manual for these cases. 'Unless an officer is stopped on the road and physically checked, they'll get away. And often, being in uniform gives them an easy pass.' What makes this more egregious is that while citizens face steep fines for minor non-compliances – as high as ₹10,000 –those meant to uphold the law appear to be manipulating the very rules they enforce. The absence of disciplinary action or internal accountability mechanisms has emboldened this behaviour, say traffic experts. 'This isn't a loophole, it's a misuse of institutional knowledge,' said an expert on traffic governance.
The Hindu
15-07-2025
- The Hindu
GVMC launches AI-based ‘Project SARTHI' for smart traffic management in Visakhapatnam
Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) Commissioner Ketan Garg on Tuesday announced the launch of 'Project SARTHI' (Systematic Augmented Radial Traffic & Hoop Induction), a pilot initiative to implement an AI-based Integrated Traffic Management System (ITMS) in the city. The project, being implemented in coordination with the Traffic Police Department, involves five IT companies working across selected city stretches. It includes Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR), Red Light Violation Detection (RLVD), and Facial Recognition Systems (FRS). ANPR and RLVD systems are being tested at Akkayyapalem, Urvasi, R&B, Gopalapatnam, and Yendada Junctions, while FRS is being piloted at Sampath Vinayaka Temple, Dwaraka RTC Complex, Passport Office-R&B, Simhachalam RTC Complex, and VIMS Hospital area. The Commissioner said the objective is to ensure smooth vehicular movement, reduce accidents and traffic violations, and align with smart city goals. The pilot will run for a month, following which the most effective model will be scaled up across the city. Garbage collection In a separate review meeting with Public Health Officials, Mr. Garg instructed them to personally inspect sanitation work every morning. He emphasised that daily household garbage collection through CLAP vehicles must be ensured, with each vehicle making three mandatory trips as per route maps. He also directed that microphone announcements be made during garbage collection to spread public awareness. Ward sanitary secretaries and inspectors were asked to identify and monitor frequent garbage dumping points and to move compactor bins periodically to avoid accumulation. Any waste found outside commercial complexes must attract penalties from shop owners, he said.
Time of India
01-07-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Nashik civic body to install 28 AI-based traffic signals
Nashik: The civic body has decided to install new AI-based traffic signals at 28 locations across Nashik city. Nashik Municipal Smart City Development Corporation Ltd (NMSCDCL) will carry out the installation. Currently, Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) operates 50 traffic signals across the city, positioned at major junctions within six divisions of the municipal corporation. Traffic movement increased over the last four to five years. To monitor vehicular traffic flow, the civic body expanded the number of traffic signals from 22 in 2021 to 51 in the city. Since Jan 2023, the smart city corporation has installed 40 traffic signals, including the replacement of 25 old signals with new ones and the installation of 15 additional signals. The smart city corporation also installed Red Light Violation Detection (RLVD) cameras and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras at these 40 traffic signals. These surveillance systems connect to the command and control room located at the Panchavati divisional office building of the Nashik Municipal Corporation. Sumant More, the CEO of NMSCDCL, told TOI that they are installing 28 new traffic signals at major junctions in the city. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo The Nashik Municipal Corporation suggested the locations. "We are now preparing the tender documents, and the tender will be floated shortly by the end of this month (July). All the 28 traffic signals are expected to be installed by Sept or Oct end," More said. The 28 locations for the new AI-based traffic signals include Parijat Chowk, Beedi Kamgarnagar Chowk, Amrutdham, Sarda Circle, Marathon Chowk near KTHM College, Siddhivinayak Chowk on Aurangabad Road, D K Nagar near Nirmala Convent School, Mico Circle, Bhonsala T Point near Bhonsala School, Rane Nagar, Pawan Nagar, Model Chowk on College Road, Sakal Circle on Trimbak Road, Dutta Chowk, Lekhanagar Tunnel, Kathe Galli, Samrat Signal near Ambedkar Nagar, Wadala T Point, HDFC Chowk near Tibetan Market, Mauli Lawns, Shriram Circle on Trimbak Road, Carbon Naka in Satpur MIDC area, XLO Point, Garware Point, Pathardi Phata, Dutta Mandir on Ambad Link Road, Malegaon Stand in Panchavati, among others. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Doctor's Day 2025 , messages and quotes!
Time of India
03-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Around 16,000 red signal violations at seven signals in five days
Nashik: Around 16,000 vehicles violated red lights between May 30 and June 2, data from the city's seven traffic signals in the city revealed. The smart city corporation has installed red light violation detection (RLVD) cameras and automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras at 40 locations among the city's 55 traffic signals. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now These surveillance systems are connected to the command and control room at Panchavati divisional office building of Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC). Presently, trial runs of RLVD and ANPR cameras are underway at seven traffic signals through the city's command and control room. The NMC anticipates launching full operations of its command and control room in the first week of July. Smart city corporation officials said they are monitoring the movement of vehicles jumping red signals at seven traffic signals as part of their trial operations. The data of the last four days show that around 4.80 lakh vehicles passed through these seven traffic signals, and 15,883 vehicles jumped red signals during this period. Some vehicles violated the signals twice or thrice or more, said smart city corporation officials. The history of the vehicles regarding the violation of the red signals can also be seen at the command and control room, they said. Trials of another 33 traffic signals will soon be started in phases in the next few days. Once the trials are completed, the command and control room will be made functional, said officials. The smart city corporation has urged the NMC administration to paint zebra crossings at 40 traffic signals in the city at the earliest so that RLVD and ANPR cameras can be made operational next month. "We need the marking at all 40 traffic signals, and once it is done, we can make the RLVD and ANPR cameras at the traffic signals in the city live," said officials. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The installation of RLVD and ANPR cameras at 40 traffic signals is part of the CCTV project, under which a total of 1,300 CCTV cameras have been installed at around 350 locations across the city. These CCTVs have been integrated with the command and control room of NMC.
Time of India
27-04-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
40 traffic signals with Red Light Violation Detection & Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras to go live through the command and control room by May-end in Nashik city
Nashik: The Smart City corporation has set up Red Light Violation Detection (RLVD) and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras at 40 out of the total 55 traffic signals across Nashik city. These traffic signals will go live through the command and control room by the end of May. All these high-tech cameras are integrated with the command and control room of the smart city corporation, located at the Panchavati divisional building of the Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC). Sumant More, the CEO of Nashik Municipal Smart City Development Corporation Ltd (NMSCDCL), told TOI they have started testing the RLVD and ANPR cameras at seven junctions — including Central Bus Stand, Trimbak Naka, Meher Signal, Canada Corner, Sharanpur Road, Gangapur Naka and Dream Castle on Makhmalabad Road — in the first phase. During the testing, it was found that more than 7 lakh vehicles crossed the traffic signals at seven locations over six days between April 19 and 24. Of them, around 50,000 jumped signals when they were red. Some vehicles violated the signals twice, thrice or more. "The history of the vehicles regarding the violations of the red signals can also be seen through the command and control room," More said. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Get Intel Laptops With Exclusive Student Perks Intel Laptops | Search Ads Learn More Undo The Smart City corporation is planning to make CCTVs at all 40 traffic signals live through the command and control room in May, he added. NMSCDCL urged the Nashik Municipal Corporation to paint zebra crossings at these 40 traffic signals at the earliest so that the RLVD and ANPR cameras can be made operational next month. They need the marking of the zebra line from the NMC administration. Once it is done, the cameras can go live, added More. Moreover, the online challans will be sent directly to the red signal violators through the command and control room. NMSCDCL also provided training to the NMC and police personnel to enable them to operate the command and control room. The installation of RLVD and ANPR cameras at the 40 traffic signals is part of the CCTV project, under which a total of 1,300 CCTV cameras are installed at around 350 locations across the city. They are integrated with the civic body's command and control room. Nashik: The Smart City corporation has set up Red Light Violation Detection (RLVD) and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras at 40 out of the total 55 traffic signals across Nashik city. These traffic signals will go live through the command and control room by the end of May. All these high-tech cameras are integrated with the command and control room of the smart city corporation, located at the Panchavati divisional building of the Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC). Sumant More, the CEO of Nashik Municipal Smart City Development Corporation Ltd (NMSCDCL), told TOI they have started testing the RLVD and ANPR cameras at seven junctions — including Central Bus Stand, Trimbak Naka, Meher Signal, Canada Corner, Sharanpur Road, Gangapur Naka and Dream Castle on Makhmalabad Road — in the first phase. During the testing, it was found that more than 7 lakh vehicles crossed the traffic signals at seven locations over six days between April 19 and 24. Of them, around 50,000 jumped signals when they were red. Some vehicles violated the signals twice, thrice or more. "The history of the vehicles regarding the violations of the red signals can also be seen through the command and control room," More said. The Smart City corporation is planning to make CCTVs at all 40 traffic signals live through the command and control room in May, he added. NMSCDCL urged the Nashik Municipal Corporation to paint zebra crossings at these 40 traffic signals at the earliest so that the RLVD and ANPR cameras can be made operational next month. They need the marking of the zebra line from the NMC administration. Once it is done, the cameras can go live, added More. Moreover, the online challans will be sent directly to the red signal violators through the command and control room. NMSCDCL also provided training to the NMC and police personnel to enable them to operate the command and control room. The installation of RLVD and ANPR cameras at the 40 traffic signals is part of the CCTV project, under which a total of 1,300 CCTV cameras are installed at around 350 locations across the city. They are integrated with the civic body's command and control room.
