Mangaluru: In a significant step towards strengthening traffic enforcement and improving road safety, the Mangaluru City Police will soon install advanced artificial intelligence (AI)-based automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras at three major junctions on national highways falling under the city police limits. The initiative is part of a broader plan to modernise traffic monitoring systems and reduce violations through technology-driven enforcement.

City Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy CH said that the agency responsible for implementing the project has already been shortlisted. A formal letter will be sent to the Director General of Police (DGP) office shortly, following which work orders will be issued to begin the installation process.

Rs 1 crore capital expenditure sanctioned

The Mangaluru police commissionerate has been sanctioned a capital expenditure of Rs 1 crore for the project. According to the commissioner, the funds will be utilised for procuring AI-enabled ANPR cameras, additional body-worn cameras for police personnel and new traffic signboards along key stretches.

“This investment is aimed at improving traffic management, enhancing road safety and ensuring better compliance with traffic rules through the use of modern technology,” Reddy said.

The introduction of AI-based surveillance is expected to reduce manual intervention in traffic enforcement, thereby increasing efficiency and transparency.

Multiple traffic violations to be detected automatically

The ANPR cameras to be installed at the three national highway junctions will have the capability to detect multiple traffic violations in real time. These include signal jumping, riding or driving without helmets or seat belts, and other violations of traffic rules.

Once the system becomes operational, it will automatically capture images of vehicles along with their registration numbers. This data will then be used to issue penalties without the need for physical interception by traffic personnel.

Officials said this automated system would not only deter habitual offenders but also help traffic police focus on regulation and congestion management rather than routine checking.

Expansion of body-worn cameras for police personnel

In addition to ANPR cameras, the police department is also expanding its use of body-worn cameras. At present, the Mangaluru city police have 121 body-worn cameras in use across various units.

An additional 77 cameras will be procured shortly, most of which will be allocated to traffic police personnel. These cameras are expected to improve accountability during enforcement, reduce disputes with motorists and provide reliable evidence in case of complaints or legal proceedings.

Senior officials noted that body-worn cameras have already shown positive results in improving public-police interactions and ensuring professional conduct during traffic checks.

New traffic signboards along national highways

To further enhance road safety and improve awareness among road users, 81 new traffic signboards will be installed along national highways within the Mangaluru city police limits.

“These signboards will help in better regulation of traffic and guide motorists more effectively, especially at busy junctions and accident-prone zones,” the commissioner said.

The move is aimed at addressing issues related to poor signage, which often leads to confusion, sudden lane changes and accidents, particularly for outstation drivers.

Proposal for new traffic police station

Meanwhile, Commissioner Reddy revealed that a proposal has been submitted to the government for the establishment of a new traffic police station within the commissionerate limits.

Currently, four traffic police stations — Mangaluru Traffic East, West, North and South — are functioning in the city. However, traffic-related cases in areas such as Moodbidri and Bajpe are being handled by law and order police stations due to the absence of a dedicated traffic unit.

“The proposed traffic police station will help reduce the workload on existing stations and ensure focused and effective traffic enforcement in these growing areas,” he said.

Officials pointed out that rapid urbanisation, increasing vehicle population and expansion of national highways around Mangaluru have significantly increased traffic volumes, making specialised enforcement units essential.

Conclusion

The installation of AI-based ANPR cameras, expansion of body-worn camera usage and improved signage reflect Mangaluru city police’s push towards technology-driven policing. Along with the proposed new traffic police station, these measures are expected to enhance compliance, reduce violations and improve overall road safety. Once implemented, the initiative could serve as a model for other cities in Karnataka looking to modernise their traffic enforcement systems.