Speed sensing cameras, installed a year ago in at least 10 accident-prone locations in and around Ranchi under the Smart City Project, will soon be operational and help check road accidents caused by speeding vehicles, police said on Tuesday.

These cameras could not be used by the police for a year due to a lack of coordination between the Smart City Corporation, the traffic control room of Ranchi police, and National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), police said. However, the National Informatics Centre (NIC) is developing software through which Ranchi police will be able to slap fine on violators caught on the speed sensing cameras and take necessary action under relevant sections of the Motor Vehicles Act, Deputy Superintendent of Police (Traffic), Jitwahan Oraon said.

“The cameras are likely to be operational by November. The coordination between Smart City Corporation and traffic police was needed to operate the speed sensing cameras as the Smart City Corporation does not have the authority to slap fine on traffic rule violators,” said Oraon.

Speed sensing cameras are devices that detect the speed of a moving vehicle through the help of motion sensers. The cameras can also click pictures of the vehicles that cross the speed limit on a given road. These pictures can be used to send challans to the offenders and also check if they were violating other traffic rules.

The speed sensing cameras were only placed at accident-prone locations and roads where incidents of racing and stunts by bikers and car owners were reported in the past.

The cameras were installed between Bagaicholi Bawanipur Chowk and Kharsi Daag Outpost, Shaheed Maidan and Dhurwa roundabout, Rampur Tiraha Ring Road and Ranchi city, Tilta Ring Road and Ranchi City, Piska More and Pandra, Satellite Colony Chowk and Dibdidh bridge, Mesra Railway Over Bridge and DPS Greater Ranchi, Kanke Ring Road and Birsa University, Ranchi College Playground and State Guest House, and on the Hinoo Airport Road. 

“The cameras will not only discourage people from crossing speed limits, but also save lives of innocent pedestrians and commuters who fall prey to the misadventure of some vehicle owners and drivers,” said another police official, requesting anonymity.

Even the traffic signals functioning across the State capital were installed under the smart city project.