The Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) has detected nearly 6,500 cases of speeding in Kochi city limits in the last two months. Of these, 1,637 drivers who were found to have violated the speed limits were punished, MVD officials said.
The cases were detected using the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Mobile Speed Violation Detection System (MSVDS) of the MVD, which was deployed in various parts of the city. MSVDS is an interceptor vehicle equipped with automatic number plate recognition cameras controlled by artificial intelligence.
In January, the system detected 3,759 cases, while in February the number dropped to 2,672. In January, 988 violators were fined, compared to 649 for February, with several cases still pending as of March 2. The vehicles found speeding included private buses and cars, officials said.
The MSVDS, which is meant for use in Kottayam, Idukki and Ernakulam districts, has been deployed exclusively in Kochi city since January as part of a special enforcement measure aimed at curbing frequent traffic violations.
“Once the system detects a case, the details and pictures of the concerned vehicle will be given to the MVD control room at the civil station in Kakkanad. Officials there will check each case and refer those where clear violations are found for further action, including imposition of fine,” said an MVD official.
Each case is examined in detail, taking into account factors such as the 5% tolerance limit for speed limit and benefit of doubt, the official added.
MSVDS is part of the state-wide AI-enabled MVD monitoring network under the E-Kerala project. However, it is currently the only device available to the agency to detect speeding in the city.
Though 63 AI cameras have been installed in the district under the project, all but one are outside the Kochi Corporation limits. The one on Marine Drive is designed to detect parking violations. According to sources, the MVD has recommended the installation of 57 artificial intelligence cameras in and around the city.
Published – 02 March 2026 20:40 IST
