NARAYANGANJ : Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed today said the government will gradually introduce an artificial intelligence (AI)-based automated fine system on all highways across the country after evaluating the performance of the system launched on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway.

"The initiative would bring a major change in highway traffic management by ensuring greater road safety, maintaining traffic discipline, reducing accidents and enabling swift, effective and transparent action against traffic law violations," he said.

The minister made the announcement while inaugurating the AI-powered 'Auto Fine System' at the Highway Police's Command, Control and Monitoring Centre at Meghnaghat in Sonargaon, Narayanganj.

"After evaluating the success and experience of the system implemented on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway, the AI-based automated system will be introduced on all highways in phases, he said.

Under the project, AI cameras have already been installed on 490 pillars along the Dhaka-Chattogram highway.

The cameras will automatically detect and record violations including speeding, dangerous overtaking, disobeying traffic signals and signs, driving on the wrong side of the road and illegal parking.

Once a violation is detected, information about the vehicle will be transmitted directly to the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) database.

Also, an SMS will then be sent to the registered owner's mobile phone with details of the offence and the applicable fine, while vehicle owners will be able to pay the fines from home through mobile financial services (MFS), according to the system.

Under the automated system, repeated traffic violations could also lead to stricter administrative and legal measures, including cancellation of the registration of the offending vehicle in accordance with BRTA regulations.

The minister warned that strict action would be taken against illegal toll collection on highways, regardless of whether those involved were from transport owners' groups, workers' federations or the police.

He said CCTV and AI cameras would record such activities, helping curb illegal extortion and making highways safer and more disciplined.

Salahuddin also said no unauthorised or unlicensed three-wheelers or non-motorised vehicles would be allowed to operate on highways and police would take immediate action against them under existing laws.

At the same time, the minister instructed the Highway Police to ensure that essential issues, including access to local feeder roads and movement to CNG filling stations, were managed in a coordinated and disciplined manner.

He called on the Highway Police, Bangladesh Police, transport owners and workers' organisations and the public to work together to make the technology-driven initiative successful.

He also stressed the need for extensive public awareness campaigns through print, electronic and online media and social media platforms.

Highway Police chief Additional Inspector General Faruk Ahmed chaired the programme.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md Ali Hossain Fakir, Bangladesh Road Transport Workers Federation president and lawmaker Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas, and Narayanganj-3 lawmaker Azharul Islam Mannan attended the event.