Delhi has to wait for smart traffic system

Those who thought Delhi’s traffic management would soon attain international standards, better stay prepared to bear traffic woes.

Those who thought Delhi’s traffic management would soon attain international standards, better stay prepared to bear traffic woes.

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The much-hyped intelligent traffic system (ITS) — dream project of Delhi Police — is still far from reality.

In last three years — which saw many plans, high level meetings, feasibility study and tendering process twice — Delhi Police could attract only three bidders but who did not have expertise in laying and maintaining ITS.

Ajay Chadha, special commissioner of police (administration) who also has the additional charge of traffic, said: “We do not know whether we will find a company among them who can be awarded the Rs 260 crore project.”

The three bidders are now undergoing technical bid process at RITES, an engineering consultant and project manager for major projects.

According to Delhi Traffic Police officials the technical bid will open after a month, which will be followed by the financial bid. However, Delhi Police’s faith on the fate of the project seems to have declined.

“We are not very hopeful about the project anymore. We expected more applications from big players,” said a senior police officer on condition of anonymity.

“The bidders’ worthiness would be known only after RITES submits its report. If none is found suitable after the next two rounds of bidding — technical and financial — we will go to home ministry and seek its intervention,” said S Nithiyanandam, joint commissioner of traffic police (headquarters).

PK Sarkar, head (transportation), School of Planning and Architecture said that Indian firms hardly have expertise for this kind of newer technologies. “Three years have passed and the Commonwealth Games deadline has been missed. Unless the Delhi Police initiates inviting tenders from global players, such technology-based projects will not be successful in India,” he said.

Intelligent traffic

The system incorporates various existing sub-systems such as traffic signals, message signs (that alter traffic patterns and warn traffic of incidents), speed camera (that clicks photographs of road users who jump red light or speeding vehicles)

ITS is proposed to be placed in 275 places at New Delhi, Mathura Road, Delhi-Gurgaon Highway, Delhi-Noida Highway