IITMS pilot signals fail to deliver promised results

Time of India

7 days ago

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Nagpur: The much-anticipated Integrated Intelligent Traffic Management System (IITMS) in Nagpur has failed to deliver the expected results. Although the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) initially announced the pilot's launch by June 15, it has now pushed the date further to June 25, following repeated glitches in system performance during test runs.
As part of the pilot, the civic body installed new traffic signals and high-resolution cameras at 10 major junctions across the city to test the core features of the Rs 197-crore state-funded IITMS project. These junctions were equipped with modern signal systems, surveillance units, and electronic infrastructure meant to streamline traffic flow, monitor violations, and reduce congestion.
"However, the early outcomes have been far from encouraging.
The signals and surveillance network are not functioning reliably. After the hardware was installed, communication and coordination issues between the signals, control room, and field devices prevented the system from operating seamlessly," confirmed a senior NMC official privy to the development.
NMC has formally communicated its dissatisfaction to the contractor responsible for the implementation. The city traffic police too have flagged multiple concerns, ranging from erratic signal synchronisation to system lags in transmitting real-time data to the control room.
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In response, the implementing company has been directed to address the technical shortcomings without further delay.
The IITMS, once fully operational, is expected to offer multiple benefits — including adaptive traffic signalling, violation detection, real-time CCTV surveillance, and integration with the city police and NMC control rooms. The system's biggest promise lies in its ability to automatically detect violations such as red-light jumping, helmetless riding, and speeding, while also helping to manage peak-hour congestion.
Despite these ambitious goals, the on-ground situation tells a different story. The pilot project, which should have been a showcase for smart traffic management, has instead become a point of concern for authorities already battling public criticism over rising violations and worsening traffic conditions.
According to sources, the electric department has also raised concerns over technical integration and electricity supply stability, which are affecting signal performance. Meanwhile, messages and displays on the new signal poles have attracted public curiosity, but the system itself remains non-functional.