The Union Cabinet has approved an intelligent traffic management system for Delhi that will use real-time data, artificial intelligence and an integrated command-and-control network to manage congestion across 42 traffic corridors. The project, estimated to cost ₹1,789.52 crore, will also provide priority movement for ambulances and other emergency vehicles.
The approval was given by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, at a meeting held on Wednesday. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said after the meeting that the system would be implemented in three phases over 24 months, followed by five years of operations and maintenance.
The project is intended to improve the use of Delhi’s existing road network as the number of vehicles continues to rise. The city currently has around 71 lakh active registered vehicles, while the expansion of road infrastructure has remained limited compared with the growth in vehicle numbers, according to the report.
Under the system, traffic signals will be adjusted according to the actual movement and pressure of vehicles on the road instead of relying mainly on fixed timings and manual traffic management. Signals across the 42 identified corridors will also be coordinated to reduce repeated stops and improve traffic flow.
The system will include 1,092 adaptive traffic control systems and 1,029 enforcement locations. Automatic cameras will monitor traffic violations, while real-time information about congestion, slow-moving traffic and accidents will be sent to the Delhi Police. This is expected to help traffic authorities divert vehicles more quickly when roads are blocked or incidents occur.
Emergency vehicles will receive a separate priority mechanism. The system will be designed to automatically create green corridors for ambulances and other emergency vehicles, allowing them to move through intersections with fewer interruptions while travelling to hospitals or responding to incidents.
The project will also provide road users with information through variable message signs and digital platforms. These updates are expected to cover traffic conditions, diversions and parking availability. The data may also be shared with navigation applications such as Google Maps, allowing commuters to select alternative routes based on current road conditions.
The Cabinet approval places Delhi’s traffic management system within a larger shift from isolated signal operations to centrally coordinated, data-led control. Implementation will now depend on the phased installation of the adaptive controls, enforcement infrastructure and command-and-control systems across the identified corridors. The project’s three-phase rollout is scheduled to take 24 months, after which operations and maintenance will continue for five years.
