Kochi: Kerala's AI-enabled traffic enforcement system is facing another technical disruption, with violation data from 726 road cameras unable to reach control rooms since September 1 because of unpaid dues to Keltron.

The Motor Vehicles Department's AI cameras continue to capture traffic violations across Kerala, but the information has not been reaching the control rooms responsible for verifying violations and issuing e-challans.

The disruption began on September 1 after the firewall service at the central server was disconnected by the service provider. The interruption has affected the transfer of camera data and, consequently, the processing and printing of e-challans.

The immediate issue is linked to outstanding payments for technical services provided by Keltron, which operates the AI camera system. Around Rs 60 crore in dues reportedly remain unpaid.

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Rs 327 crore collected from fines

The disruption comes despite the AI camera project generating substantial revenue through traffic penalties.

Since the project began operations in June 2023, around 1.42 crore traffic violations had been detected up to May 2026. Against total fines of Rs 922.04 crore imposed during this period, the government had collected Rs 327 crore from 55.52 lakh people.

The figures highlight the scale of the system and the volume of traffic enforcement being handled through the cameras.

Cameras are still recording violations

The disruption does not mean the 726 AI cameras have stopped working. According to the report, the cameras continue to detect violations and store the relevant data locally.

The problem is with transferring that information to the control rooms.

Once the outstanding payments are settled and the necessary SIM connections and firewall services are restored, the stored data can be transferred to the control rooms. This means motorists who violate traffic rules during the disruption could still receive e-challans later.

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Previous disruption over internet dues

This is not the first time the AI camera project has faced a technical crisis linked to unpaid service charges.

The system also came under strain last month because of outstanding internet-related payments. Its operation was temporarily restored after funds allocated for other purposes were diverted to address the issue.

The latest disruption has occurred after the firewall service was also disconnected, further affecting the processing of violation data and e-challans.

The immediate requirement is to restore the technical services needed to transfer camera data to the control rooms. Until that happens, newly detected violations will remain stored locally rather than being processed immediately for e-challans.

Once connectivity and firewall services are restored, the accumulated data could be transferred in bulk. This could result in a large number of pending violations being processed and notices being issued later.