Delhi is preparing for a major traffic challenge as the capital gets ready to host the BRICS Summit on September 12 and 13. In an effort to keep vehicles moving and quickly respond to congestion, the Delhi Traffic Police plans to deploy drones to monitor roads, identify traffic jams and support on-ground traffic management.
This will be the first time drones are being used specifically for traffic monitoring during a major diplomatic event in the city.
The move comes after preparations and traffic rehearsals began ahead of the summit when restrictions related to the movement of VIP convoys caused congestion and delays on several important roads.
With senior foreign leaders and delegations expected to travel through the capital, even a small disruption could quickly create longer traffic queues. The traffic police therefore plan to use drones to get a real-time picture of road conditions and identify congestion before it spreads.
According to officials, drone surveillance will focus particularly on major intersections, arterial roads and congestion-prone corridors.
The aim is to identify bottlenecks early and allow traffic personnel to respond before building up of traffic.
The aerial monitoring will also cover major transit points. This will include Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi Railway Station and other railway stations, where heavy movement of vehicles and passengers is expected. These areas could become sensitive during the summit because of the movement of foreign delegations, security personnel and regular commuters.
One of the key advantages of using drones is that they can provide traffic officials with a broader view than conventional monitoring systems.
While CCTV cameras offer fixed views of specific locations, drones can be moved to areas where congestion is developing. Officials believe this additional information could help them understand the length and spread of traffic queues and deploy personnel more efficiently. The drones will also be used around intersections and other busy stretches of Delhi, particularly those that experience heavy traffic during festive periods, processions and public gatherings. This could allow the technology to remain useful even after the BRICS Summit is over.
The initiative reflects the growing role of technology in Delhi’s traffic management. Officials said drone surveillance could eventually supplement existing CCTV cameras and help provide a wider picture of what is happening across the city’s road network. Real-time aerial information could also help traffic personnel determine where intervention is most urgently required.
For commuters, the success of the system will ultimately depend on how quickly information from the drones can be converted into action on the ground. Spotting a traffic jam is only the first step; officers will need to respond rapidly by diverting vehicles, managing intersections or deploying additional personnel.
The BRICS Summit will place Delhi’s transport infrastructure under unusual pressure, with diplomatic movements taking place alongside the city’s everyday traffic. The drone initiative is therefore an attempt to stay one step ahead of congestion rather than simply reacting to it after it has already formed.
