The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday, 30 September approved the rollout of an Intelligent Traffic Management System (ITMS) for New Delhi at an estimated cost of ₹1,789.52 crore. The AI-powered initiative aims to overhaul traffic flow, road safety, and urban mobility across the national capital, which is currently home to roughly 71 lakh active registered vehicles.

Project Scope and Rollout

The ITMS will be implemented by Delhi Police across 42 identified traffic corridors, with the work structured across three phases spanning 24 months. A subsequent five-year operation and maintenance period will follow. The project forms part of a broader push by the Centre to modernise transport infrastructure in the capital.

According to the government, vehicular growth in Delhi has significantly outpaced road expansion, while traffic regulation has continued to rely heavily on fixed signal timings and manual intervention — a gap the new system is designed to close.

How the Technology Works

At the core of the ITMS are Adaptive Traffic Control Systems, which will automatically adjust signal timings based on real-time traffic flow and coordinate signals across major corridors to cut congestion and delays. The system integrates real-time traffic data, automated enforcement mechanisms, and a unified command-and-control infrastructure.

A notable feature is the provision for green corridors — priority signal sequences for ambulances and other emergency vehicles navigating congested routes. Commuters will receive live updates through Variable Message Sign boards and digital platforms covering traffic conditions, diversions, and parking availability. Traffic data may also be shared with navigation service providers to help users choose optimal routes.

AI-Driven Enforcement and Safety

The project will significantly expand automated enforcement, enabling detection of violations including red-light jumping, speeding, wrong-way driving, illegal parking, non-use of helmets and seat belts, and mobile phone use while driving. Artificial intelligence-based analytics will further assist in identifying stolen, blacklisted, and hot-listed vehicles, tracking repeat offenders, and flagging vehicles linked to hit-and-run cases.

Faster detection of accidents and road incidents will allow Delhi Police to manage diversions and corrective action more efficiently, according to the government.

Why This Matters

Delhi consistently ranks among the world's most congested cities, and the mismatch between vehicle growth and road capacity has worsened over the years. This is the most significant technology-led traffic infrastructure investment the capital has seen, and it signals a shift from reactive, manual traffic management toward a predictive, data-driven model. Notably, the project also has a direct road-safety dimension — automated enforcement is expected to reduce violations that contribute to fatal accidents.

With implementation timelines and phased disbursements now set, attention will turn to execution — particularly the pace of infrastructure deployment across all 42 corridors and integration with existing Delhi Police systems.