This Kerala High Court order feels like one of those situations where project is already running,public is already using benefit,but payment side somehow gets stuck badly . And honestly,₹36 crore due is not small thing ah.
Kerala High Court on June 19,2026 ordered state government to promptly clear outstanding dues owed to private firm which installed and maintains AI-enabled traffic enforcement cameras under Safe Kerala Project . This project was meant to improve road safety across state.
Firm had gone to court saying payment was not released even though project had been successfully implemented and traffic enforcement system was operational . As per firm,there was no dispute about work execution also,which makes whole delay look even more uncomfortable.
And court also seems to have taken same view only . It said state should have released payments without needing court intervention,because honoring contractual agreements is basic thing in any government project.
Few facts standing out here:
- Kerala High Court directed dues of ₹36 crore to be cleared within one month .
- Firm said project was completed and operational since May 2022.
- Safe Kerala Project has contributed to reduction in road accident fatalities .
Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) was specifically told to facilitate release of payment through Keltron,which is project management consultant here . So now responsibility is not floating vaguely in air,specific department and route have been mentioned.
Project was executed under BOOT (Build,Own,Operate,and Transfer) model . That means firm was supposed to recover its costs through assured quarterly payments after project was declared operational . If those payments don't come on time,then whole model itself becomes shaky .
Previous Public Interest Litigation (PIL) against project had already been dismissed . Still,the firm continued giving technical support and maintenance for system which is linked to public safety,reduction in road fatalities and revenue through enforcement measures.
And tbh,this is where government delays feel very unfair . If cameras are working,fines are being generated,road safety data is being counted,then people maintaining that system also need to be paid on time .
Matter will come up for further hearing next month,and now real question is whether state actually clears dues within one month or again lets this drag into another round of court pressure…
