New Delhi: Delhi is set to get a major technology-driven upgrade to its traffic management system, with the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approving ₹1,789.52 crore for an Intelligent Traffic Management System (ITMS) to be implemented by Delhi Police.
The project will cover 42 identified traffic corridors and will roll out in three phases over 24 months, followed by five years of operation and maintenance. The system will use real-time traffic data, adaptive signals, automated enforcement and integrated command-and-control systems to improve traffic movement and road safety across the capital.
AI-Powered Traffic Management Across 42 Corridors
Delhi’s ITMS will focus on making better use of the city’s existing road network by allowing traffic management systems to respond to actual road conditions.
The project will cover 1,092 Adaptive Traffic Control System locations and 1,029 enforcement locations. Unlike fixed signal timings, adaptive systems will adjust signal cycles according to prevailing traffic conditions.
Signals along identified corridors will also be coordinated to reduce unnecessary stoppages and delays.
The project will be implemented in phases, with each subsequent phase taken up after the previous phase meets prescribed testing, commissioning, acceptance and performance parameters.
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Priority Movement for Ambulances
One of the major features of the ITMS will be support for emergency vehicle movement.
The system will facilitate green corridors and priority movement for ambulances and other emergency vehicles. This is intended to help emergency vehicles pass through congested stretches more quickly.
The technology will also help authorities respond faster when traffic congestion, accidents or other road incidents occur.
Real-Time Information for Delhi Commuters
The new system will provide commuters with more timely information about road conditions.
Variable Message Sign boards and digital platforms will share information on:
- Traffic congestion and diversions
- Parking availability
- Current traffic conditions
- Other road-related information
The information may also be shared with navigation service providers, allowing commuters to make more informed travel decisions and choose alternative routes when required.
Automated Detection of Traffic Violations
The ITMS will also strengthen technology-based enforcement in Delhi.
The system will support automated detection of violations including red-light and stop-line violations, speeding, wrong-way driving, failure to wear helmets and seat belts, illegal parking and mobile phone use while driving.
AI-based analytics will further assist authorities in identifying stolen, hot-listed and blacklisted vehicles. The system will also help identify repeat traffic violators and vehicles linked to hit-and-run incidents.
This technology-based approach is expected to make enforcement more consistent while reducing dependence on manual intervention.
Integrated Traffic Command and Control Centres
A major component of the project will be the integration of traffic regulation, enforcement and information dissemination on a common platform.
Traffic Command and Control Centres will form the operational backbone of the system, supported by secure Data Centre and Disaster Recovery infrastructure.
The ITMS will follow open standards and APIs, allowing future integration with other systems and making the platform scalable as Delhi’s traffic management requirements evolve.
Delhi Has Around 71 Lakh Active Vehicles
The need for a technology-led traffic system comes amid the continuing growth of vehicles in the capital.
Delhi currently has around 71 lakh active registered vehicles. Vehicular growth has outpaced the expansion of road infrastructure, while traffic regulation still depends significantly on fixed signal timings and manual intervention.
The ITMS is designed to improve the utilisation of existing road capacity by allowing traffic management to respond dynamically to changing road conditions.
Rather than relying only on additional road infrastructure, the system will use real-time information and technology to manage traffic more efficiently.
Delhi Police to Implement the Project
Delhi Police will implement the ITMS through a Master System Integrator, which will be selected through competitive bidding.
The Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) will provide technical support as the Project Management Consultant. Its responsibilities will include technical scrutiny, monitoring, validation and acceptance during the implementation phase as well as during operation and maintenance.
The project will therefore combine Delhi Police’s traffic-management role with technical support and an integrated technology platform.
Three-Phase Rollout Over 24 Months
The ITMS will be implemented in three phases over a period of 24 months. After implementation, the system will have an operation and maintenance period of five years.
The performance-based approach means the next phase will proceed only after evaluation of the preceding phase against specified testing, commissioning, acceptance and performance standards.
This structure is intended to ensure that the system is tested and evaluated progressively instead of being rolled out across all identified corridors at once.
Technology to Support Safer and Smoother Travel
The ITMS will complement ongoing efforts by the Central Government and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi to improve transport infrastructure and urban mobility.
By combining adaptive signals, real-time traffic monitoring, automated enforcement, emergency vehicle priority and digital information systems, the project aims to make Delhi’s existing road network more responsive to changing traffic conditions.
For citizens, the intended outcome is smoother movement, safer roads, faster incident response, stronger enforcement and more predictable travel conditions.
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