Bengaluru South civic body tests AI cameras to spot potholes, encroachments

The Bengaluru South City Corporation has rolled out a pilot project using an AI-enabled vehicle inspection system to identify civic problems along its road network. The initiative is designed to detect issues such as potholes, garbage dumping, construction debris, and footpath encroachments.

K.N. Ramesh, Commissioner of the South Corporation, said the inspection vehicle is fitted with AI cameras and GPS devices. As the vehicle moves along roads, it captures photographs and videos, which the system then analyses to identify and categorise civic issues. The findings are automatically forwarded to the concerned officials.

The pilot covers roughly 75 km of roads out of the corporation's total network of 311 roads. Ramesh indicated that if the system performs as expected, the project could be expanded across the entire jurisdiction.

Beyond surface-level problems, the AI system is also meant to detect misuse of building basements, including cases where basements have been converted into commercial establishments. It will flag unauthorised shops, advertising boards, and footpath encroachments. The corporation is also exploring its use for property tax revision and identifying building bylaw violations.

Each detected issue is automatically registered as a complaint ticket along with its GPS location. These tickets are routed to the assistant executive engineer, who is responsible for inspecting the reported locations and taking corrective action. Once an issue is resolved, the official must upload before-and-after pictures, after which the ticket is closed.