Kathmandu Ditches Roadside Police for AI: How Tech is Crushing Traffic Violations

Kathmandu is undergoing a massive shift in traffic enforcement, moving away from traditional roadside policing to a high-tech, "faceless" system powered by artificial intelligence and advanced surveillance. The Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office has intensified its monitoring of violations by deploying CCTV cameras, Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) systems, and AI-driven tools to automatically identify and penalize offenders without the need for physical confrontation.

A Record-Breaking Month for Enforcement

The impact of this technological upgrade is immediate and staggering. In just the past month, authorities penalized 73,299 drivers across the Kathmandu Valley using various digital systems. The largest group, comprising 24,291 drivers, was caught through the e-challan system, which processes tickets digitally and sends notifications directly to the Nepal Nagarik App. Unlike old paper tickets, these e-challans are automatically stored in the traffic police database, ensuring no violation is lost.

Beyond speeding and red-light jumping, the technology is catching more serious offenses. 3,968 drivers were penalized for drink-driving after breathalyser tests, while 3,632 drivers were booked after CCTV footage confirmed they violated traffic rules. The ANPR cameras alone identified 1,706 drivers, proving that optical character recognition can instantly transmit violation alerts to the monitoring system.

The Tech Behind the "Faceless" Police

The core of this new system relies on smart hardware placed at key locations like Munibhairabh, New Bus Park, and Maharajgunj. The police are now using ANPRC (Automatic Number Plate Recognition Camera) technology, which can read vehicle number plates and even capture drivers' faces inside the car. This allows officers to monitor driver activities behind the wheel remotely.

Currently, the office operates six ANPR cameras, but the plan is to expand aggressively. Authorities intend to fix 170 cameras across the Valley, including:

• 10 locations with face recognition cameras
• 10 locations with ANPR cameras
• 150 locations with AI technology-based cameras

This expansion aims to create a comprehensive surveillance grid that catches offenders even if they initially escape detection. SP Subedi noted that CCTV surveillance now ensures that police can identify and penalize violators regardless of whether they were present at the scene when the violation occurred.

Public Transport and Future Safety

The shift to technology-driven enforcement also impacts public transport. Since April 27, public vehicles operating within the Valley must install dashcams or CCTV cameras. Initially, only 106 vehicles, including 101 Sajha Yatayat buses, complied. By June 16, that number surged to 3,303 vehicles, with vehicle owners responsible for the installation.

Alongside cameras, the police utilize a wide array of tools, including 20 body-worn cameras, 721 portable warning lights, radar guns, laser speed guns, and e-challan mobile devices. A one-month nationwide traffic awareness campaign involving artists and community leaders began on June 15 to promote road safety before authorities enforce regulations more strictly.

The goal of this transformation is clear: reduce roadside confrontations, improve road safety, and create a smarter, more efficient traffic management system for the future of Kathmandu.