Karachi is set to introduce smart traffic signals on its major roads as city authorities move forward with a structured plan to overhaul traffic management across one of the country’s most congested urban centres. The decision was taken during a meeting of the Karachi Traffic Management Company chaired by Mayor Murtaza Wahab, attended by Karachi Commissioner Syed Hassan Naqvi, Transport Secretary Asad Zamin, Municipal Commissioner Abrar Jaffar, and DIG Traffic Pir Muhammad Shah. The gathering reviewed multiple proposals and reached a consensus to proceed with the installation of advanced traffic signal systems while maintaining engagement with all relevant stakeholders throughout the implementation process.
Mayor Murtaza Wahab underscored the broader significance of the initiative, noting that improving traffic management has the potential to address several interconnected urban challenges beyond congestion alone. He indicated that work will be carried out simultaneously on both road infrastructure and signal systems, suggesting a comprehensive approach rather than a piecemeal rollout. The dual focus on physical road improvements alongside digital signal upgrades reflects an understanding that technology alone cannot resolve traffic problems without the underlying infrastructure being brought up to standard.
Under the approved plan, smart traffic signals will be installed on key roads across the city, with the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation taking the lead on deployment along I.I. Chundrigar Road, one of Karachi’s principal commercial and financial arteries. Authorities also approved a plan to convert M.A. Jinnah Road into a smart road, with Rs. 20 million allocated specifically for that project. The inclusion of M.A. Jinnah Road, a historically significant and heavily trafficked corridor, signals that the initiative is targeting the city’s most critical thoroughfares first rather than beginning with lower-traffic pilot locations.
The development builds on a broader momentum around technology-driven traffic reform in Karachi. The city has in recent months deployed AI-enabled cameras under the Karachi Safe City Project, launched a faceless e-challan system that issued thousands of digital tickets within hours of going live, and seen early-stage smart signal installations at select intersections. The formalization of a citywide smart signals plan under the Karachi Traffic Management Company, with mayoral oversight and cross-departmental participation, represents an institutional step forward in translating these earlier pilots into a coordinated, city-scale programme.
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