Mumbai, July 15: In response to the recent high-profile accidents involving luxury cars in Mumbai and Pune, the Maharashtra state excise department has launched a special drive to enhance safety measures in bars and pubs. The authorities will incorporate AI Cameras to determine the age of the customer. Incidentally, the AI camera will detect persons below 21 years old, and the excise official monitoring the CCTV footage will get a notification on their mobile phone.

The initiative follows the tragic incidents of a BMW hit-and-run in Worli, Mumbai, and a Porsche crash in Pune, both involving underage drivers allegedly under the influence of alcohol. Mumbai BMW Hit-and-Run Case: Mihir Shah’s Family Driver Rajrishi Bidawat Sent to 14 Days Judicial Custody.

AI Camera for Age Determination, CCTVs in Bars and Pubs in Maharashtra

According to a report by Mid-Day, the excise department has mandated the installation of CCTV cameras at the main counters of all restaurants, bars, and pubs. These cameras will be monitored by excise officials to detect any irregularities. Additionally, a five-member team is developing AI-powered cameras capable of determining a person’s age based on facial recognition. These cameras will alert excise officials and bar owners if a person under 21 attempts to consume alcohol, ensuring stricter enforcement of age restrictions.

Crackdown in Pune After Porsche Crash That Killed Two

In the last month and a half, the excise department has checked the licences of 23,690 restaurants and bars in the state. Of these, 796 were found to have flaws, and action has been taken against them. For instance, 83 hotels were violating the official timings, and action was taken against 31 hotels where people were being allowed to consume alcohol without a permit. The licences of 154 hotels were suspended for 10 days, and the licences of 80 bars, pubs and orchestras have been cancelled in Pune after the crash. Pune Porsche Car Crash: Accused Agarwals Confined, Lured and Threatened Family Driver To Take Accident 'Blame', Reveal Probe Details.

Strict Actions After Mumbai BMW Crash That Claimed Woman's Life

In Mumbai, several teams of the excise department inspected 1,034 bars and pubs. 39 hotels were found not to be following the norms, and nine licences were suspended. In the Mumbai suburbs, 1,572 bars and pubs were inspected, and 89 were found to be in violation of timings.

The crackdown comes after two fatal accidents involving luxury cars. On May 19, a Porsche driven by a 17-year-old allegedly under the influence of alcohol struck and killed two motorbike-riding software engineers in Kalyani Nagar, Pune. More recently, a BMW driven by Mihir Shah, the son of a Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) leader Rajesh Shah, collided with a two-wheeler in Mumbai's Worli, resulting in the death of a woman who was dragged for over 1.5 kilometres.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 15, 2024 07:32 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).