Chandigarh Administration Launches Major Infrastructure Upgrade Initiative
The Chandigarh administration has initiated a comprehensive project to enhance the city's traffic management and public lighting systems. This strategic move aims to significantly bolster the resilience of these critical infrastructures for both routine operations and emergency scenarios.
Learning from Operational Challenges
The decision follows significant technical difficulties encountered during last year's heightened Indo-Pak military tensions. Specifically, during Operation Sindoor in May 2025, when air-raid alerts triggered mandatory blackout protocols, authorities faced substantial challenges in deactivating urban systems.
Senior officials from the Union Territory administration revealed that implementing complete blackouts proved particularly problematic. Shutting down traffic signals, pelican crossings, blinker systems, and streetlights across Chandigarh within the required timeframe took longer than anticipated. This delay exposed critical weaknesses and operational gaps in the existing infrastructure during high-stakes emergency situations.
Systematic Infrastructure Review and Enhancement
To address these identified vulnerabilities, the UT engineering department has issued an Expression of Interest (EOI) seeking consultancy firms. These experts will assist in developing, reviewing, and finalizing standardized approved makes and guaranteed technical parameters for the city's automatic traffic control signals, pelican signals, and blinker systems.
The selected consultant will play a crucial role in shaping specifications for all future procurements, installations, and maintenance activities. This systematic approach is designed to ensure improved reliability, enhanced energy-efficiency, and superior performance across the board.
The comprehensive review will encompass:
- Traffic signal controllers (both centralized and decentralized)
- LED-based signal heads
- Vehicle and pedestrian detection sensors
- Supporting poles and structural elements
- Cabling infrastructure and junction boxes
- Related communication networks
Officials emphasized that the primary objective is to create systems that operate seamlessly under normal conditions while responding swiftly and reliably to central commands during emergencies.
Building Upon Existing Advanced Systems
Chandigarh already operates sophisticated traffic management infrastructure, including:
- Intelligent Traffic Management System (ITMS)
- Adaptive Traffic Control System (ATCS)
Both systems are monitored through the Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) located in Sector 17. This advanced facility was inaugurated on March 27, 2022, by Union Home Minister Amit Shah under the Smart City Mission, representing an investment of approximately Rs 200 crore.
The ICCC integrates more than 1,000 cameras utilized for:
- AI-driven surveillance operations
- Automated enforcement mechanisms
- Real-time traffic monitoring and management
The Adaptive Traffic Control System is currently operational at 40 major junctions throughout the city. Utilizing detectors that collect continuous vehicle density data, the system automatically adjusts signal timings to optimize traffic flow and reduce congestion.
Officials reported that this system has substantially decreased the need for manual intervention while reducing average waiting times by up to 50%. Expansion plans are underway to extend the ATCS network to all 109 junctions across Chandigarh.
Expanding Surveillance and Response Capabilities
Beyond traffic junctions, the administration is deploying approximately 2,000 AI-powered surveillance cameras across 287 strategic locations. These include:
- Major entry and exit points
- Educational institutions and schools
- Healthcare facilities and hospitals
This expanded surveillance network is expected to significantly strengthen multiple aspects of urban management, including traffic enforcement, crime prevention, and emergency response coordination.
The proposed infrastructure upgrades are designed to build upon these existing systems, improving integration, centralized monitoring, and rapid response capabilities. These enhancements directly address the key operational lessons learned from the challenges experienced during Operation Sindoor, ensuring Chandigarh is better prepared for future emergencies while maintaining efficient daily operations.
