Patna: The Patna municipal corporation is set to introduce an AI-powered civic monitoring system that officials say will improve cleanliness, road safety and municipal services through real-time surveillance.
The Rs. 8.95 crore initiative, named Nagar Netra, will be implemented by Patna Smart City Limited. It will deploy 19 electric two-wheelers equipped with high-resolution cameras to patrol city streets and identify civic problems such as garbage piles, potholes, open manholes, damaged streetlights and illegal encroachments.
Officials said the system is expected to become operational by November this year.
Camera vehicles to cover all 75 municipal wards
According to authorities, the fleet will cover all 75 wards under the Patna Municipal Corporation area, with approximately one vehicle assigned to every four wards.
Using a roster-based schedule, each ward is expected to have its roads scanned twice every week.
Every vehicle will carry Patna Smart City and Patna Municipal Corporation branding. Charging stations will be installed at the Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) and other selected locations.
Real-time alerts and GPS mapping
The camera-fitted vehicles will send alerts directly to a central control room, reducing dependence on manual inspections.
The cameras will also feature GPS tracking to record the exact location of reported faults. A newly created Central Civic Services Operations Centre (C-SOC) will process incoming data using AI software.
Officials said the system will be able to detect waste heaps larger than one metre, potholes deeper than 10 inches, illegal hoardings and stray cattle.
In some cases, the software will automatically generate reports and estimate fines for violations such as unauthorised advertisements.
Dashboard and mobile app for faster repairs
Municipal officials will be able to track complaints through a live digital dashboard displaying the type and location of civic problems across Patna.
As part of the project, a dedicated Android application will also be launched for contractors, field workers and the officials.
When issues such as broken streetlights or damaged manholes are identified, digital work orders will be sent to the responsible contractor or employee. They will be required to upload photographic proof after repairs are completed.
Officials added that all software systems linked to the project would be certified by India’s cybersecurity agency, CERT-In.
27-member team to run project for 36 months
The project will be operated by a 27-member team, including one project director, two city coordinators and 19 drivers.
The selected implementing agency will also be responsible for operating and maintaining the system for a period of 36 months.
Expansion planned for other cities
If the pilot proves successful, authorities said a second phase could include integration with traffic police vehicles and municipal garbage trucks.
Future upgrades may also allow the system to detect damaged road dividers, faded lane markings and broken paving blocks.
Officials said the model has been designed to scale up and could later be introduced in other cities, including Muzaffarpur, Biharsharif and Bhagalpur.
