Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has constituted a specialised committee to develop an integrated approach for managing traffic across the city. This decision, formalised on August 28, 2024, marks a strategic shift towards leveraging technology and data-driven solutions to enhance urban mobility and reduce congestion.
The newly formed committee, which includes top officials from various civic bodies, aims to streamline traffic management by adopting a comprehensive and coordinated strategy. The members comprise the Additional Commissioner for Traffic and IT of GHMC, the Engineer-in-Chief of GHMC, the Managing Director of Hyderabad Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (HUMTA), the Joint Commissioner of the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA), and the Zonal Commissioner of Khairtabad Zone, GHMC. This diverse assembly of experts reflects a multifaceted approach to addressing the city’s unique traffic challenges. According to an official memo issued by Amrapali Kata, the Commissioner of GHMC, the committee will utilise advanced technologies such as sensors, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, and data analytics to implement a real-time traffic management system. The goal is to continuously monitor and manage traffic flows more efficiently, using these technological tools to gather and analyse data that will inform future infrastructure and regulatory decisions.
Beyond monitoring, the committee’s mandate includes selecting and onboarding qualified system integrators who will design, implement, and maintain a scalable Traffic Management System (TMS). This system will be tailored to Hyderabad’s specific needs, taking into account the city’s existing infrastructure, traffic patterns, and anticipated growth. By focusing on scalability, the TMS will be able to adapt to evolving traffic conditions and urban development plans. A critical component of the new strategy is the development of a comprehensive parking policy. The memo outlines several steps aimed at alleviating traffic congestion through better parking management. This includes identifying parking hotspots throughout the city, regulating both on-street and off-street parking, and incorporating smart parking solutions. These measures are expected to reduce the time drivers spend searching for parking spaces, which in turn should ease traffic congestion and improve overall urban mobility.
The formation of this committee and the adoption of an integrated traffic management approach highlight the GHMC’s commitment to modernising the city’s infrastructure and enhancing the quality of life for its residents. The utilisation of technology-driven solutions is particularly noteworthy, as it aligns with broader smart city initiatives aimed at making Hyderabad a more liveable and sustainable urban environment. However, the successful implementation of these strategies will depend on several factors, including the efficient coordination among various civic bodies, the availability of adequate funding, and the ability to engage and educate the public about new traffic regulations and parking policies. Stakeholders will need to work closely together to overcome these challenges and ensure the smooth rollout of the proposed measures.
