New Delhi: The Artificial Intelligence (AI) cameras installed as part of the 'Safe Kerala' project has stoked up a fresh row with the Opposition Congress alleging serious irregularities in the grant of the contract and accusing the ruling Left government of escalating the project cost, news agency PTI reported.
Senior Congress leader and former Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala said the Left government had entered into an agreement with Kerala State Electronics Development Corporation Limited (KELTRON) in 2020 to set up a fully automated traffic enforcement system. KELTRON then awarded the contract to Bengaluru-based SRIT India Pvt Ltd, but in violation of tender norms, he alleged.
Chennithala claimed that SRIT, that had no experience in handling such projects, subcontracted the work to a consortium of two Kerala-based companies, inexperienced in the matter.
While the companies, SRIT and the consortium said that the cost of the project would Rs 75 crore, the government has projected a cost of Rs 151 crore which has now gone up to Rs 232 crore. Alleging corruption, the Congress leader questioned why the amounts kept going up.
Chennithala alleged that there was rampant corruption and irregularities in granting the contract and the implementation of the project. He further said that it should be probed whether SRIT had the financial capability to handle the project.
He also claimed that the cameras were automated number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras and not AI-based as claimed by the government.
"AI is a process. There are no such cameras. These are only ANPR cameras. To mislead people, it is being projected as AI cameras," Chennithala said.
Reacting to Chennithala's allegations, State Transport Minister Antony Raju said that KELTRON has to answer the allegations made by the Congress leader.
Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly VD Satheesan had said that according to the government, a total of 726 cameras have been installed, spending Rs 236 crore.
"Each camera is priced at around 33 lakh rupees. It is unbelievable that such a huge amount has been spent for a camera unit. The government has the responsibility to release the detailed estimate including the real price of the cameras and its installation charges,” he said.
Notably, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated the 'Safe Kerala' project, with an aim to reduce road accidents and traffic violations in the state.