Interview | Vizag to be India’s first city to have AI-driven Traffic Management System: CP Shankhabrata Bagchi

Visakhapatnam: Vizag city is set to introduce an Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system at major junctions to identify traffic violations, rash/helmetless driving, catch offenders, and manage traffic regulations. From April 1, 2026, Vizag will implement India’s first AI-driven Traffic Management System.

In an exclusive interview with the NewsMeter, Visakhapatnam Commissioner of Police Shankhabrata Bagchi discussed new developments, initiatives, and vision for 2026. Excerpts :

NM: With Vizag fast becoming an IT city, how will you tackle traffic and safety concerns?

CP: From April 1, 2026, Vizag will implement India’s first AI-driven Traffic Management System. Perhaps, for the first of its kind in Andhra Pradesh, Vizag police will introduce Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) at major junctions to prevent vehicle congestion, identify rash/helmetless driving, catch offenders, and manage traffic regulations.

This will feature :

1. Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) at major junctions

2. Automated tracking of violations and overspeeding

3. Less need for the physical presence of police at signals

4. Face recognition cameras in major public areas

This will be a game-changer in easing congestion and improving discipline. The automatic number plate recognition cameras will be set up at every junction, which will record all traffic violations. Any violation by the rider will receive a love letter (in the form of an e-challan) by the time they reach home.

We will also do synchronized traffic signals, so that the average time from one signal to another signal will decrease. The movement of vehicles will also become faster.

We are going to put face recognition cameras in crowded areas. Data collected from the National Crime Records Bureau and State Crime Records Bureau will be with our team. So if any criminals from any part of India are in Vizag, he/she will be caught. These cameras will also help to catch offenders in case of any murder/kidnapping, or any such incidents.

Companies have already shown interest. We will be finalizing one of them. We will be working in coordination with Municipal officials. The police team will lead, and the company will work in the backend. Regarding funds, talks are going on with the central and state governments. We are also trying to get CSR funds. Hopefully, Vizag will become a model city soon.

NM: How is the current crime situation in Visakhapatnam?

CP: Our crime rate is consistently decreasing across all categories. You can confirm this by speaking to the public. Their perception has also improved significantly. There was only one major family-related murder recently, involving a woman from Vizianagaram who confessed to killing her husband due to severe harassment. Without her confession, it would have been registered as an unnatural death. Apart from that, such spousal murders are rare here.

Due to this decline in crime, Visakhapatnam has been recognized as the safest city for women in India as per the NARI Report 2025 — a major achievement acknowledged by our Chief Minister, Nara Chandrababu Naidu.

NM: Drone policing in Vizag has received national attention. Could you share more details?

CP: We currently use 15 drones. These include 9 advanced drones, 1 tethered drone capable of capturing footage within a 5 km radius, and 8 other drones equipped with a public address system, siren, searchlight, and night-vision

Every drone must be airborne for at least 8 hours every day, especially over areas with complaints of Prostitution, Gambling, Alcohol consumption in public, Ganja consumption, and other illicit activities.

Drones act as an “eye in the sky.” We record visuals, sound the siren, shine focus lights, and announce warnings. Ground teams then move in to apprehend suspects. We currently have 22 police stations, so we aim for 2 drones per station — a total of 44 drones in the future. This will reduce physical workload and act as a force multiplier. Drone policing formally began in 2024, soon after I took charge in July 2024, and has already shown impressive results.

Ganja Trafficking and Crackdowns

NM: There have been reports of ganja smuggling from AP to cities like Hyderabad and Bengaluru. What is the reality?

CP: No, ganja is not produced in the Visakhapatnam agency anymore. Earlier, cultivation was in the Alluri Sitarama Raju district. It has now been reduced to almost zero. Current production is mainly in Odisha. That ganja is transported through Andhra Pradesh to other states. We are working proactively to intercept these networks. Odisha must eliminate production, then trafficking will automatically stop. It may be recalled that, in October, we destroyed 10,000 kg of seized ganja. So, our enforcement is aggressive and ongoing.

Drug Presence in Educational Spaces

NM: Earlier, student drug use was a concern around College zones. Is the situation better now?

CP: Yes, conditions have improved notably. But we are working to make usage zero. We also encourage citizens to report hotspots — even by sharing Google locations — so that we can deploy surveillance and take direct action. Citizens can directly call my number and report on such hotspots.

Rash Driving

NM: What about night-time rash driving, bike racing, especially in the Beach stretch?

CP: Those incidents have decreased. Whenever complaints arise, we respond immediately. My number is public — residents contact me directly, and action follows without delay.

Cybercrime — A Major Challenge

NM: Cybercrime seems to be on the rise everywhere. How is Vizag responding?

CP: Cybercrime is indeed alarming. To compare:

Property crime losses in AP last year: ₹80 crores

Cybercrime losses in AP last year: ~₹300 crores

We recognized the urgency and:

1. Strengthened the dedicated Cyber Crime Police Station

2. Recruited 12 trained IT personnel as home guards

3. Launched Navasamaja Nirmaana — educating students at every school, college, and university.

I personally attend these awareness sessions

Anyone with a smartphone is a potential target — especially on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and other social media.

Content Misuse by Minors

NM: We see minors — even school children — posting vulgar content and being influenced negatively. Does this fall under police purview?

CP: Yes, such posts fall under the IT Act provisions. But action requires a formal complaint. Often, the content originates from outside Vizag or is from previous years. So verification is crucial. We have acted in specific cases. For instance, a youngster promoting betting apps was arrested and jailed. Parents must also be aware and alert.

I am confident that Vizag police will continue to strengthen security systems, technology-based policing, and community coordination. With public support, we will ensure it remains the safest and most peaceful city in India.