Mangaluru, June 15, 2025 — A major step toward smart city innovation is unfolding on the streets of Mangaluru. The coastal city in Karnataka has deployed nearly 200 AI-enabled traffic surveillance cameras across key intersections, roads, and public areas. These AI-powered smart cameras Go live in Mangaluru and now watching for common traffic violations — and from July 1, 2025, offenders will face automatic fines.
The initiative comes from Mangaluru Smart City Limited (MSCL), under the Smart Cities Mission, with the aim to make roads safer and traffic monitoring more efficient. Officials say the system is already functional in a trial phase, where violators are being tracked and alerts are being generated—though fines haven’t yet been enforced.
What Do These AI Cameras Catch?
Unlike older CCTV systems, these smart traffic cameras are powered by Artificial Intelligence that helps them “see” and process traffic behavior in real time. The cameras are programmed to detect and report violations such as:
Riding without a helmet
Driving without a seatbelt
Jumping red signals
Driving on the wrong side of the road
Stopping on zebra crossing
The system doesn’t just record video; it identifies the vehicle’s number plate, captures evidence, and automatically sends an alert to the control centre. From July 1 onward, these alerts will convert into e-challans, or digital traffic fines, sent directly to the registered vehicle owner.
Trial Results Already Show Improvement
During the pilot phase in early June, the cameras flagged thousands of violations in just the first two weeks. Helmetless riders and signal-jumping were among the most common offences, officials noted.
“We have seen a visible improvement in road behavior even during the trial stage. Once the fine system begins, we expect better compliance and safer roads,” said an MSCL official.
Local police departments have also appreciated the support the technology brings. “These AI cameras act like silent traffic inspectors. They work 24/7 without bias or fatigue,” noted a senior traffic officer.
Why It Matters for Mangaluru
With vehicle numbers rising and human traffic police stretched thin, AI-enabled enforcement brings a much-needed solution. Mangaluru, which sees a mix of urban and coastal rural traffic, has long struggled with helmetless riders and chaotic junctions.
For daily commuters, the new tech aims to reduce road accidents and ensure smoother flow. It also reduces human error or leniency often seen in manual enforcement.
Many residents have welcomed the move. “At first it felt like Big Brother watching, but now I see fewer people jumping signals or riding without helmets. It feels safer,” said Aishwarya, a college student from Kankanady.
What to Expect Starting July 1 as AI-Powered Traffic Cameras Go Live in Mangaluru
From July 1, 2025, the system will start issuing e-challans with real-time proof. Offenders will receive SMS or email notifications, and fines must be paid online. Repeated violators may face higher penalties or follow-up action.
For now, Mangaluru’s AI system is non-intrusive — no face recognition or privacy violations are involved. The focus is purely on traffic behavior and public road safety.
The system is also scalable. MSCL has plans to expand it into parking management, emergency vehicle tracking, and intelligent traffic light systems in the near future.
A Glimpse into India’s Smart City Future
With cities like Mangaluru leading the way, India is gradually embracing AI-driven civic governance. Smart surveillance for road safety is already in place in parts of Delhi, Pune, and Hyderabad, but Mangaluru is among the first tier-2 cities to roll out such an extensive system.
As India pushes forward with AI in public service, these traffic cameras stand as an example of how technology can quietly, but powerfully, shape better habits and safer streets.
