Cops to use cameras that can read vehicle number plates

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru Traffic Police will now utilise Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras in order to bring down cases of traffic violations and penalise offenders.

The traffic police are using digital technology to improve enforcement as it will help beat cops in collecting the details of offences on a real-time basis. A traffic official attached to Shivajinagar police station said that the ANPR cameras will incorporate a system that can capture the registration number of any vehicle on the road even at night, along with a list of violations and pending fine payments.

“Within minutes, the traffic police at the next signal would then be able to apprehend the offender,” the traffic police said.

It is common knowledge that there are hundreds of vehicles which are moving about freely, although there are fines against them.

With ANPR cameras installed across the city, many violations and criminal activities can also be monitored, said another official. “We have observed in many cases that fake number plates and stolen vehicles are used for criminal activities. This technology can help us track such vehicles,” the officer said. Recently, Home Minister Araga Jnanendra said the traffic fines due from vehicles in Bengaluru are in the range of a few hundred crores. He said there are nearly 90 lakh registered vehicles, and at any given time, there are about 18-20 lakh vehicles on the road.

Sources from the traffic management centre also said that a SIM module is being worked upon, which when installed with a digital or network video recorder, will automatically update interactive databases regarding non-functioning cameras. This will obviate delays due to physical checks and expedite repairs.