Gandhinagar is pioneering a tech-driven solution to tackle the menace of stray animals on Ahmedabad’s roads. The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) is gearing up for a pilot project that harnesses artificial intelligence to swiftly identify stray cows and their owners, aiming to slash traffic disruptions and accidents.
Stray cattle have long been a headache for commuters in Gujarat’s bustling cities. They roam freely, causing chaos at intersections and leading to frequent collisions. Currently, AMC teams rely on CCTV footage to snap photos of these animals, followed by manual checks using microchips and RFID tags—a process that’s notoriously slow and labor-intensive.
To streamline this, the AI Center of Excellence in GIFT City has tasked an agency with building a deep learning-based model. This cutting-edge system will integrate with existing CCTV networks across 130 key junctions in Ahmedabad, where around 1.1 lakh cows are already tagged with RFID and microchips, their data stored in municipal databases.
At its core, the AI employs computer vision to scan cows’ faces, zeroing in on the unique nose print—much like human fingerprints—for precise identification. It will also analyze eyes, facial structures, scars, and wounds to match animals against the database in real-time, pinpointing owners instantly.
If successful, this initiative promises smoother traffic flow, fewer mishaps, and enhanced public safety. It’s a bold step by the Gujarat government toward data-driven governance, showcasing AI’s potential in smart city management. Experts predict rapid scalability to other districts, revolutionizing urban animal control.
