Delhi ITMS explained: How Centre’s Rs 1,789 crore plan aims to cut congestion across Delhi, Noida, Gurgaon & other neighbouring regions

Delhi is set to get a technology-driven overhaul of its traffic management system, with the Cabinet approving Rs 1,789.52 crore for an Intelligent Traffic Management System (ITMS) to be implemented by the Delhi Police.

The project will cover 42 traffic corridors across the capital and will be rolled out in three phases over 24 months, followed by five years of operation and maintenance. The system will combine real-time traffic monitoring, adaptive signals, automated enforcement and integrated command-and-control infrastructure.

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Delhi ITMS project: What will change for commuters?

The new system is designed to help authorities manage traffic based on real-time road conditions instead of relying mainly on fixed signal timings and manual intervention.

Delhi has around 71 lakh active registered vehicles, while the growth in vehicles has put increasing pressure on the city's existing road network.

Under the ITMS, traffic signals will be able to respond to changing traffic volumes, while real-time data will help traffic police identify congestion, accidents and other disruptions more quickly.

AI-powered traffic signals to manage congestion

One of the main features of the Delhi ITMS will be Adaptive Traffic Control Systems.

These signals will dynamically adjust their timings depending on traffic conditions and coordinate with signals along identified corridors.

The aim is to reduce unnecessary stops, improve traffic flow and make better use of the road capacity already available in the city.

Ambulances to get priority at traffic signals

The ITMS will also support priority movement for ambulances and other emergency vehicles.

The system will facilitate green corridors to help emergency vehicles move through congested stretches more quickly.

This is expected to help reduce delays when ambulances and other emergency services are responding to incidents across the city.

Delhi traffic police to get real-time congestion alerts

The system will use real-time detection to identify traffic congestion, slow-moving vehicles and road incidents.

This information can help Delhi Police respond faster by diverting traffic or taking other operational measures when a road is blocked or traffic conditions deteriorate.

The technology-based approach is also expected to improve coordination between different components of the city's traffic management system.

Commuters to get live traffic and parking information

The ITMS will provide traffic information to commuters through Variable Message Sign boards and digital platforms.

Information on congestion, diversions, parking availability and prevailing traffic conditions can be displayed to help motorists plan their journeys.

The system may also share relevant information with navigation service providers, allowing commuters to factor real-time road conditions into their routes.

AI enforcement for speeding, wrong-side driving and more

The Delhi ITMS will also strengthen automated enforcement of traffic violations.

The system will be capable of detecting violations including:

• Red-light violations
• Stop-line violations
• Overspeeding
• Wrong-way driving
• Riding without helmets
• Driving without seat belts
• Illegal parking
• Use of mobile phones while driving

AI-based analytics will also assist in identifying stolen, hot-listed and blacklisted vehicles, repeat offenders and vehicles linked to hit-and-run incidents.

Electronic monitoring and enforcement systems using technologies such as cameras and automatic number plate recognition are already part of broader traffic-management efforts in India.

Delhi ITMS will cover 1,092 traffic signal locations

The project will cover 1,092 Adaptive Traffic Control System locations and 1,029 enforcement locations across the identified corridors.

Implementation will take place in three phases. Each subsequent phase will be taken up after the previous phase meets prescribed testing, commissioning, acceptance and performance requirements.

Traffic Command and Control Centres to bring systems together

The project will create an integrated platform connecting traffic regulation, enforcement and information services.

Traffic Command and Control Centres will be supported by a secure Data Centre and Disaster Recovery infrastructure.

The system will use open standards and APIs, allowing it to be integrated with other platforms and expanded in the future.

Who will implement Delhi's new traffic system?

The Delhi Police will implement the project through a Master System Integrator selected through competitive bidding.

The Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) will act as the Project Management Consultant, providing technical support for scrutiny, monitoring, validation and acceptance during implementation as well as the operation and maintenance period.

When will the Delhi ITMS be implemented?

The project is scheduled to be implemented in three phases over 24 months, followed by five years of operation and maintenance.

The government's stated objective is to use technology and real-time information to improve the efficiency of Delhi's existing road network rather than relying only on expanding road infrastructure.