Auto fine system inaugurated on Dhaka-Ctg Highway

Highway extortion and traffic violations are set to face tighter scrutiny as AI-powered cameras begin monitoring the Dhaka-Chattogram Highway.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said incidents of extortion involving vehicle owners, transport workers or police personnel would now be recorded by highway cameras.

He made the remarks after inaugurating the modern AI camera-based ‘Auto Fine System’ at the Highway Police Command and Control Monitoring Center in Meghnaghat, Sonargaon, Narayanganj, on Monday.

Under the new system, drivers violating traffic laws on the highway may receive fines on their mobile phones without direct intervention by traffic officials.

He said, “AI-powered cameras have been installed on 490 pillars to bring the highway under technology-based surveillance.”

Under the new ‘Auto Fine System’, the cameras will detect traffic violations such as speeding, driving on the wrong side, violating traffic rules and overtaking at prohibited places. Fines will then be imposed automatically.

He said that when a vehicle violates traffic laws, information about the fine will be sent to the vehicle owner’s mobile phone.

“If a vehicle violates the law on the highway, the fine information will be sent to the BRTA database. Then an SMS will be sent to the registered mobile phone of the vehicle owner,” he said.

The owner will be able to pay the fine easily through online or mobile payment systems. However, if a vehicle repeatedly violates traffic laws, its registration may be cancelled under BRTA laws, he added.

The minister also said the new system would help reduce extortion on the highway. He said incidents of extortion involving vehicle owners, transport workers or police personnel would be recorded by highway cameras.

“As a result, I hope this trend will decrease. With the cooperation of the people, we will be able to stop extortion,” he said. The programme was chaired by Highway Police Additional IGP Faruk Ahmed.