IIIT Hyderabad Deploys AI System to Tackle Illegal Sand Mining in Telangana
In a significant development aimed at curbing illegal sand mining in Telangana, the Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) Hyderabad has introduced an innovative artificial intelligence (AI) system. This initiative comes as a response to the Telangana IT Department’s request for a technical solution to a pressing regulatory challenge.
The Challenge of Illegal Sand Mining
Illegal sand mining has been a persistent issue in India, particularly in the state of Telangana. The environmental impact of this practice is severe, leading to erosion, habitat destruction, and a host of other ecological concerns. Traditional methods of monitoring and regulating sand mining activities have proven ineffective, necessitating the need for a more advanced technological approach.
Introduction of Vahan Eye
To address this challenge, IIIT Hyderabad developed a low-cost license plate recognition system named Vahan Eye. This AI-driven solution is designed to monitor thousands of sand transport trucks traversing Telangana’s highways. The system has been operational since September 2025, specifically at Chityal on the Vijayawada-Hyderabad highway, where it cross-checks trucks entering the state against a whitelist of approximately 40,000 vehicles approved by the Telangana Mineral Development Corporation (TGMDC).
Technical Innovations Behind Vahan Eye
The implementation of Vahan Eye was not without its challenges. One of the primary obstacles was the unique nature of license plates in India. Unlike standardized plates found in many other countries, Indian trucks often feature hand-painted registration plates that vary significantly in font, spacing, and style. This variability rendered conventional automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) systems ineffective.
Dr. Veera Ganesh Yalla, CEO of iHub-Data, explained, “Typical license plates are actually easy to detect. But in India, especially with trucks, plates are often hand-painted, inconsistent, and highly variable.” This complexity necessitated a tailored solution that could adapt to the local context.
Development Process
Rather than starting from scratch, the iHub-Data team at IIIT Hyderabad adapted an existing research prototype developed by Professor Ravikiran Sarvadevabhatla’s team at the Centre for Visual Information Technology. The core component of the system, focused on handwritten character recognition, was rebuilt and enhanced. This new version was then integrated as a plug-in into an open-source platform, allowing government agencies to implement the technology without significant overhauls to their existing infrastructure.
Real-World Applications and Challenges
Since its deployment, Vahan Eye has faced various real-world complications. Issues such as poor lighting conditions at night and festival decorations obscuring number plates have tested the system’s capabilities. However, the AI technology has continued to improve as it processes live data, demonstrating resilience and adaptability.
The system was developed by a small team of fewer than five engineers who utilized modern deep learning models, including YOLO (You Only Look Once) and RF-Detr (Region-based Feature Detection Transformer). These technologies enable the system to accurately identify and track vehicles in real-time.
Future Developments
Looking ahead, the team at IIIT Hyderabad is working on expanding the capabilities of Vahan Eye. Plans are underway to adapt the technology for traffic violation detection involving two-wheelers, in collaboration with the state police department. This expansion could further enhance road safety and regulatory compliance in Telangana.
Conclusion
The deployment of the Vahan Eye system by IIIT Hyderabad represents a significant step forward in the fight against illegal sand mining in Telangana. By leveraging advanced AI technologies and adapting to local challenges, this initiative not only addresses environmental concerns but also sets a precedent for the application of technology in regulatory frameworks across India. The collaboration between the Telangana IT Department and IIIT Hyderabad exemplifies how innovative solutions can emerge from academic and governmental partnerships.
Note: The information presented in this article is based on data available as of October 2023 and may be subject to change as new developments arise.
