THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state’s AI-enabled automated traffic enforcement project has effectively ground to a halt after Kerala State Electronics Development Corporation (Keltron) suspended its operation this month, citing unpaid dues amounting to more than ₹60 crore. Processing of challans raised by the network of cameras has been suspended for the last two weeks, officials said.
Background and scale of the project
The scheme, launched on 5 June 2023 as the ‘Safe Kerala’ initiative, was designed to reduce road accidents and minimise physical traffic enforcement through technology. Keltron, the implementing agency, invested approximately ₹165 crore in the project and subcontracted installation and maintenance work to SRIT India Pvt Ltd, a Bengaluru-based firm.
Under the contract, SRIT installed a total of 726 cameras, including 675 AI-enabled units, across the state. Since launch, the camera network has detected in excess of 1.5 crore traffic violations and generated challans totalling about ₹326 crore, according to figures provided by those familiar with the project.
Why operations were suspended
Keltron said the state government stopped disbursing the agreed service payments after February 2025. The contractual arrangement envisaged payments of ₹1.6 crore every quarter to Keltron for servicing the system. With multiple quarters unpaid — September marks the seventh quarter of default — the accumulated arrears have now exceeded ₹60 crore, the company has told officials.
Faced with mounting liabilities, Keltron has withdrawn 140 personnel who were deployed across 14 district-level control rooms, leaving many temporary staff without clear remediation. Sources said Keltron was unable to continue operating the processing pipeline for detected violations without the state clearing the outstanding bills.
Legal and operational ramifications
SRIT India, the main contractor responsible for the field installation and maintenance, has moved to court seeking legal remedies for liabilities arising out of the non-payment, according to documents reviewed by officials. Processing of challans — including adjudication steps that convert detected violations into notices and penalties — has been suspended pending a resolution on clearing dues.
The stoppage has immediate consequences for traffic management and revenue realisation. While the cameras continue to record violations, enforcement action is effectively paused when the back-end processing is not being carried out. Traffic police officials said the system’s data stream remains intact but the workflow to validate, issue and collect fines has been disrupted.
Political and administrative context
The project has been controversial since its inception. The then-opposition raised allegations of procedural lapses and corruption during contract award, though implementation proceeded regardless. Government sources indicated that budgetary constraints and competing priorities have delayed payments, while contractors say the accumulation of unpaid quarters has made continued operation untenable.
Officials further said the standoff risks weakening automated deterrence at a time when road-safety advocates argue for sustained use of technology to reduce accidents. The state’s transport department and finance ministry have been urged to convene talks to resolve the impasse.
What road users need to know
- The camera network is still physically recording violations but processing and issuance of challans has been suspended for about two weeks.
- Motorists may not receive automated fine notices during this suspension, but authorities say recorded data will be retained and could be processed once operations resume.
- Keltron and SRIT India have signalled legal action to recover payments; the resolution timeline is uncertain and depends on government decisions on clearing arrears.
The suspension highlights the financial fragility underpinning public–private technology projects and raises questions over contract design, contingency funding and safeguards to ensure continuous public services. Transport officials and contractor representatives have been asked to meet and seek an interim arrangement while a long-term settlement is negotiated.
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| Project launch | 5 June 2023 |
| Keltron investment | ₹165 crore (approx.) |
| Quarterly service payment | ₹1.6 crore |
| Unpaid dues | ₹60 crore+ |
| Cameras installed | 726 (675 AI units) |
| Violations recorded | 1.5 crore+ |
| Challans generated (value) | ₹326 crore |
As the matter moves towards administrative discussions and legal contestation, commuters, road-safety groups and municipal authorities will be watching for a swift settlement to restore automated enforcement that was billed as a key element of Kerala’s road-safety strategy.
