An Artificial Intelligence (AI) based automated fine system went live on Dhaka-Chattogram highway, marking a major technological shift aimed at enforcing traffic discipline, reducing accidents, and ensuring swift, transparent action against violators.
Inaugurating the landmark initiative Tuesday morning, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed described it as a revolutionary step by highway police that will fundamentally transform overall traffic management across the country.
Speaking as the chief guest at Highway Police’s Command, Control and Monitoring Centre at Meghna Ghat in Sonargaon, Narayanganj, the minister announced that automated AI technology will be phased across all national highways based on the success and evaluation of this pilot.
In a stern warning, he said the newly installed AI and CCTV network will also target extortion on the highway. “The tendency to extort, whether by vehicle owners, the workers’ federation, or the police, will be recorded as evidence by these cameras,” he said, adding that public co-operation would help make the highway completely extortion-free.
Addressing the issue of unauthorised and unlicensed three-wheelers and non-motorised vehicles, the home minister reiterated that they remain banned on highways and face immediate legal action under prevailing laws.
However, to balance local needs, he directed Highway Police chief to coordinate practical measures, such as allowing these vehicles to use adjacent local feeder roads and access CNG filling stations in an orderly manner.
The launch event was presided over by Highway Police Chief and Additional IG Faruk Ahmed. Special guests included Bangladesh Road Transport Workers Federation President Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas, Narayanganj-3 lawmaker Azharul Islam Mannan, and Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md Ali Hossain Fakir.
Speakers at the ceremony called for coordinated efforts among the police, transport federations, and public to ensure the system’s success, highlighting the need for widespread public awareness campaigns through print, electronic, online, and social media.
How automated system works
Under a specific project, 490 automated AI cameras have been installed on 490 pillars along the highway. The state-of-the-art system automatically detects and logs violations such as over-speeding, dangerous overtaking, defying traffic signs and signals, driving on the wrong side, and illegal parking.
Once a violation is captured, the vehicle’s details are instantly transmitted to the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) database.
An automated SMS notification containing the case details is then sent to the registered owner’s mobile number.
Vehicle owners can pay their fines remotely from home via any Mobile Financial Service (MFS) at their convenience. Repeat offenders face severe administrative and legal penalties under BRTA regulations, including the cancellation of their vehicle registration.
