Published Jan 16, 2024 | 2:39 PM ⚊ Updated Jan 16, 2024 | 2:40 PM
The Kerala MVD has procured 726 cameras, of which 675 have AI capabilities.(Wikimedia Commons)
The Kerala government has been permitted by the state high court to release the second instalment of over ₹11 crore to state-run electronics company Keltron for installing and operating artificial intelligence (AI) cameras aimed at detecting traffic violations and reducing road accidents.
A bench of Chief Justice AJ Desai and Justice VG Arun allowed the state to release the second instalment as the first tranche of ₹11 crore had already been paid, the cameras were installed and were working, and challans were being issued.
“The fact that the first instalment has already been released, is admitted by all. Hence, we pass the following order: Keeping in view of the fact that cameras have already been installed by concerned respondents which are working and challans have been issued, we permit the state authorities to release the second instalment to the tune of ₹11,79,11,440 in favour of Keltron,” the bench said.
The court also made it clear that the release of payments would be subject to further orders passed in the matter.
With the direction, the court listed the matter for further hearing on 29 February.
The order came on a plea by two Congress leaders — Leader of Opposition in the Assembly VD Satheesan and Ramesh Chennithala — for quashing of approval given to setting up the cameras under the Safe Kerala initiative.
On 18 September last year, the court allowed the state government to release the first tranche of the payment due to Keltron for the project.
That order had come as a relief to the state government as the court on 20 June, 2023, ordered it not to make any financial payments as part of the AI camera project without seeking further clarification from it or till further orders.
The petitioners challenged the LDF government’s orders regarding the installation and operation of the AI cameras across the state, alleging “illegalities, nepotism, favouritism, and corruption” in the grant of contract under the project and its implementation.
They demanded the quashing of the administrative sanction and the comprehensive administrative approval given to the “Automated Traffic Enforcement System for Safe Kerala” project.
Their plea has also sought a declaration from the court that SRIT India Pvt Ltd, which was given the work contract by state-run Keltron, was unqualified to participate in the tender process as they need to have expertise in traffic signal monitoring and satisfy the stipulations in the tender document.
The petitioners also wanted the service level agreement between the Motor Vehicle Department and Keltron, the letter of intent issued to SRIT and the agreement entered between Keltron and the private company to be declared illegal and be set aside.
Besides, they sought a court-monitored enquiry into the project and its execution.
Chennithala and other Congress leaders have been alleging that the Left government had indulged in some irregularities in awarding the tender to SRIT to set up a fully automated traffic enforcement system.
In April last year, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated the Safe Kerala Project, which included installation of the AI cameras, envisaged to reduce road accidents and traffic violations in the state.
The Motor Vehicle Department (MVD) procured 726 cameras, of which 675 had AI capabilities. Public sector undertaking Keltron was tasked with manufacturing and maintaining the camera network.
The Kerala government in 2020 entered into an agreement with Keltron for the project.
Despite the Congress alleging irregularities and corruption in installing AI cameras as part of the much-hyped project, the ruling LDF government decided to go ahead with it.
Kerala Industries Minister P Rajeev on 19 May termed the controversy over the installation of AI cameras as part of the Safe Kerala Project as “baseless”, and said that the tender process was completely transparent.
(With PTI inputs)
