Pune Infra Watch: Smart City aims to resolve traffic issues with ‘smart signalling’

The project will be implemented in two phases with 125 junctions covered in phase one and the remaining 136 in the second phase, said officials.

The new traffic system is the one that adapts to traffic situations in real-time. (Representational image: Arul Horizon)

The Pune Smart City Development Corporation Ltd (PSCDCL) has said that it would soon launch ‘smart signalling’ under Adaptive Traffic Management System (ATMS) to resolve traffic issues as well as reduce pollution in the city. The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) will spend Rs 58 crore for the operation and maintenance of the project, said officials.

“Smart signalling with the ATMS is an ambitious project to resolve the traffic issue of the city. The Pune Smart City corporation has shortlisted an agency to implement the project and soon work would be started on it,” said PSCDCL chief executive officer Sanjay Kolte.

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The project will be implemented in two phases with 125 junctions covered in phase one and the remaining 136 in the second phase, he said.

The new traffic system is the one that adapts to traffic situations in real-time, Kolte said. “It is based on a feedback system that counts the vehicles and supplies resources. It decides the best-suited model based on real-time demand at the location, real-time situation in an area or corridor and historical data based on the day as well as time. It will also provide data sources to perform traffic modelling for the future,” he said.

“The system will allow managing emergencies using ‘green wave’ for the police, ambulance, fire or BRT service,” Kotle said.

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Once the system is operational, the ‘smart signalling’ system is expected to reduce travel time as well as pollution in the city, said officials.

The new traffic system is the one that adapts to traffic situations in real-time, Kolte said.

According to the officials, the major components of the ATMS are adaptive traffic controllers at junctions, traffic lights and traffic sensors, travel-time devices, variable message signboards and integration with a command control centre. The control system will have screens to monitor the sensors and cameras across the city.

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An operation centre will host the servers and act as the primary data centre and traffic control command centre that will aggregate incoming data streams onto a single platform, provide traffic flow estimates for the near future on a real-time basis and assist in analysing the impact of alternative traffic management strategies, said officials.

Meanwhile, civic activist Vivek Velankar has objected to the implementation of the project. “The PMC is unaware of the technology to be adopted for the project. Also, there is no information on guarantee for the project by the private agency executing the project. It is completely wrong for elected representatives to commit Rs 11.58 crore each till next five years for implementation of the project about which they themselves are unaware,” he said.

In a communication to Pune Smart City, chief engineer Srinivas Kandul has sought the details of the guarantee for the project and the responsibilities to be entrusted to the private agency on operation and maintenance of the project.

Ajay Jadhav

Ajay Jadhav is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, Pune. With over 22 years of experience in the industry, he is a highly specialized journalist whose work focuses on the intersection of urban infrastructure, governance, and sustainability. Professional Background Role: As Assistant Editor, he plays a key role in the editorial direction of the Pune bureau, specializing in urban policy and its direct impact on citizens. Education: He holds a Master’s degree in Communication and Journalism from Savitribai Phule Pune University and a PG Diploma in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). He also studied at the prestigious Fergusson College. Impactful Reporting: He is credited with research-based articles on conservancy staff (waste workers) that influenced national policy for better working conditions. He is also known for exposing the contrast between high-end infrastructure (like helipads for leaders) and the lack of basic amenities like schools in their home districts. Personal Interests: An avid trekker and sports enthusiast, his personal interest in the outdoors often informs his reporting on environmental protection and sustainable development. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) His reporting in late 2025 has been dominated by the upcoming January 2026 Civic Polls in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, and the city's infrastructure boom: 1. Political Analysis (Civic Elections 2026) "Not friendly but a bitter fight lies ahead between BJP and NCP for PMC, PCMC" (Dec 22, 2025): A detailed look at the intense rivalry between the Mahayuti partners as they prepare for the January 15 municipal elections. "Pune civic polls: Big blow to NCP, NCP(SP) as leaders switch to BJP" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on high-profile poaching and party-hopping ahead of the elections. "Ajit Pawar's NCP continues domination in Pune, wins 10 of 17 local bodies" (Dec 21, 2025): Analyzing the results of the local self-government body elections as a precursor to the main civic polls. 2. Infrastructure & Urban Development "Looking Ahead at 2026: Pune to see inauguration of much-awaited Hinjewadi to Shivajinagar metro route" (Dec 22, 2025): An "outlook" piece on the critical Metro Line 3 project expected to finish by March 2026. "Building Pune: PMC to construct double-decker bridge over Mula-Mutha River" (Dec 18, 2025): Detailing a major project aimed at easing traffic between Hadapsar and Kharadi. "Condition of highway from Pune to Kolhapur to improve in a year: Gadkari" (Dec 4, 2025): Reporting on the Union Minister’s assurances regarding one of the state's most critical transport corridors. 3. Civic Governance & Environment "Install sensors, LED indicators at construction sites within 15 days: PMC to builders" (Dec 16, 2025): A follow-up to the "Breathless Pune" series, reporting on new mandates for builders to monitor air quality in real-time. "Errors in electoral rolls: PMC corrects data of 92,466 voters" (Dec 16, 2025): Tracking the administrative efforts to clean up the voter lists before the 2026 elections. Signature Style Ajay Jadhav is known for accountability journalism. His work often bridges the gap between high-level policy and the "ground zero" reality of Pune's residents. He is particularly focused on Sustainable Development, ensuring that as Pune grows into a "Bharat Mandapam" style destination (referring to his report on the Lohegaon project), its environmental and social safeguards remain intact. X (Twitter): @ajay_khape ... Read More

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