The Transport Department is wanting to introduce Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras at passage points of Uttarakhand as a measure to prevent tax fraud by the transports of other vehicle companies and to amplify the expense recuperation in the state. Other than this, these high tech cameras will likewise be utilized in observation, requirement of traffic runs and identifying traffic rules violators at the borders of the state.

The transport secretary Ranjit Sinha informed that the installation of these advanced cameras is a part of the department’s new plan to prevent discrepancies in tax revenue collection. He said that the department has initially marked 24 points at entry points of the state where ANPR cameras are proposed to be installed. He said that these cameras will provide information of all vehicles entering and leaving the state. “We had a meeting planned with the chief secretary, Sukhbir Singh Sandhu on September 23 to discuss this matter further but it has been shifted to September 30. The further strategy will be discussed only after this meeting,” stated Sinha.

Besides this, the department is also planning to install 10 ANPR cameras in Dehradun district as per the regional transport officer (enforcement) Sandeep Saini to ensure traffic laws enforcement and minimise road accidents. According to him, these cameras can easily detect traffic violations like overspeeding and driving while using mobile phones besides reading the number plates of the vehicles which can help in catching the offenders. “When an ANPR camera detects any violation in traffic rules, it instantly sends a challan to the owner of the registered vehicle,” stated Saini. He said that though the state administration has given its in-principle approval for camera installation, the final decision will be taken after the meeting with the chief secretary next week.