Delhi to deploy 2,500 AI cameras in major traffic management overhaul

The Union cabinet Wednesday cleared a sweeping traffic management project for Delhi that will integrate 2,500 artificial intelligence-enabled cameras across the capital's road network. The Intelligent Traffic Management System (ITMS), carrying an estimated cost of ₹1,789.52 crore, aims to streamline vehicular flow and reduce congestion through real-time monitoring and data analysis.

The project represents one of India's largest deployments of AI-powered traffic surveillance, leveraging computer vision technology to monitor vehicle movements, detect traffic violations, and optimize signal timing. Officials have framed the initiative as essential infrastructure for managing congestion in a rapidly expanding metropolis grappling with rising vehicular volumes.

However, privacy advocates have raised concerns about the broader implications of the surveillance expansion. Critics argue that the dense network of cameras could enable mass tracking of citizens' movements and create a comprehensive surveillance infrastructure with limited oversight mechanisms. They have called for stronger data protection protocols and transparent governance frameworks before deployment begins.

The project's implementation timeline and exact camera placement locations have not been disclosed. The government has not addressed specific safeguards regarding data storage, access controls, or public accountability measures for the collected information.