Bengaluru Civic Body to Mount AI-Enabled Cameras on Vehicles to Spot Potholes

Ahead of the monsoon season, Bengaluru’s civic body, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), is set to deploy Artificial Intelligence (AI)-enabled cameras on vehicles to detect potholes and other road issues. The initiative aims to address the city’s recurring problems with potholes, damaged streetlights, footpaths, and other civic concerns.

BBMP will deploy 15 vehicles equipped with these AI-enabled cameras. These vehicles will travel at a speed of 5 km per hour, collectively covering 300 km daily. The cameras will automatically detect and document potholes, damaged streetlights, and other infrastructure issues. This data will be utilized by civic officials to promptly address and fix the identified problems.

BBMP commissioner Tushar Girinath emphasized the importance of this initiative, especially with the monsoon approaching, which typically exacerbates road conditions in Bengaluru. He stated, “These vehicles will travel at 5 km per hour speed and all 15 vehicles will together cover 300 km a day. The data collected by these cameras will help civic officials fix the roads.”

The deployment of these AI-enabled vehicles follows directives from Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, who urged BBMP to prepare thoroughly for the monsoon. Shivakumar introduced a ‘5-point programme’ to enhance Bengaluru’s infrastructure. The programme focuses on:

1. Ensuring adequate drinking water supply.

2. Filling potholes.

3. Expanding the property tax net.

4. Efficient property tax collection.

5. Clearing encroachments on Rajakaluves (water resources including canals, water bodies, and lakes).

Shivakumar highlighted the proactive measures taken, stating, “The Chief Minister and I visited many parts of Bengaluru to inspect infrastructure works and flood prevention works.”

In its preliminary efforts, BBMP has already identified 5,600 potholes on 1,344 km of ward-level roads and approximately 500 potholes on arterial and sub-arterial roads. The civic body claimed to have filled 1,000 potholes in the past four days, indicating a robust start to their monsoon preparedness plan.

This initiative reflects a significant step towards leveraging technology for urban infrastructure management, aiming to provide safer and more reliable roads for Bengaluru’s residents.