Sticky Rice Garg | Photo credit: th-online admin
Vizag joins a group of cities that have switched from fixed traffic signal timers to AI-based roads under a project called SARTHI (Systematic Augmented Radial Traffic and Hoop Induction).
By April 2026, Vizagites could see AI-driven surveillance with over 2,000 high-tech cameras visible in 56 corridors (like RK Beach Road) across 102 intersections in the city under this ₹60-65 crore project.
GVMC Commissioner Ketan Garg told The Hindu on Tuesday (February 24), “The team will visit cities like Trivandrum, Kochi, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad and Hyderabad from Wednesday (February 25) to study best practices and incorporate them into SARTHI.
Mr. Garg said SARTHI aims to reduce wait times at red lights and ensure safer roads for all. The project will consist of two main systems – Adaptive Traffic Control (ATCS): This system will be installed at 102 intersections. Instead of using simple timers, it will use sensors to detect traffic density. If one side of the road is full and the other is empty, the system will automatically turn on the green light to clear the congestion. The second is an integrated traffic management system (ITMS) with artificial intelligence that will monitor more than 90 intersections.
“These systems will enable instant identification of vehicles using Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR). It will capture these jump signals using Red Light Violation Detection (RLVD) and automatic E-challans,” said Mr. Garg.
“With the SARTHI project, Visakhapatnam is entering a future where artificial intelligence manages the headaches of rush hour traffic, speeds up travel and drives traffic violators in real time. This project is now the ‘gold standard’ for smart cities across the world,” said Mr. Garg.
Several metropolitan cities in India have already implemented similar systems to combat traffic congestion. Bengaluru has implemented ATCS. Chennai recently launched its adaptive signaling system with the support of Japanese technology (JICA).
“One of the most advanced models in India is in Trivandrum. Their system integrates facial recognition (FRS) along with traffic flow sensors,” another GVMC official who will be on his way to Trivandrum told The Hindu.
Published – 26 Feb 2026 22:52 IST
