In a significant move towards revolutionizing traffic management and enhancing roadway safety and efficiency for commuters, Sikkim has launched an advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) traffic management system.  

Slated from May 25, 2024, this initiative is poised to revolutionize and improve traffic management across the state by verifying documents and detecting traffic violations. 

Due to growing population and massive urbanization in major parts of India, over the past few decades, road traffic has become a common problem among the people.

This not only causes problems to the travelers but also leads to various environmental and logistic challenges.  

To combat these challenges, Sikkim became the first state of India to pioneer with AI guided traffic management tools.  The State Transport Department of Sikkim made the announcement earlier in May 2024. After conducting trials of the new system at various locations for a week. 

Secretary of Transport Department issues notice

The Commissioner and Secretary of the Transport Department, Raj Yadav (IAS) in an issued notice highlighted the aim of the new traffic management system. He emphasized to automatically determine and verify the essential vehicle documents.  

The Notice further also stated that the new traffic management system, powered by the advanced AI algorithm is designed to automatically detect the validity of documents, Tax, Insurance, Fitness, Pollution Under Control (PUC) and permit along with traffic violations, such as speeding, jumping signals, improper lane usage and generate e-challan automatically as per CMV Act 1980.  

AI-driven traffic management systems

Notably, in the light of this initiative, all vehicle owners, including the government vehicles are urged to ensure the timely renewal and upkeep of their vehicle’s documents.  

This proactive measure has solidified the Sikkim’s approach towards embracing and using the technology to create a safer and efficient roadways system for the citizens.  

According to Secretary Yadav, in the first phase of this development. The system will be installed in 16 points across the state (including 4 points in Gangtok). However, depending on the feedback and response from the Police authorities. The department will soon install the system at additional places in the second phase.  

The new systems powered by advanced algorithms will automatically detect the validity of documents, such as insurance, Fitness, Pollution and immediate generations of E-challans.  

“Since the data of all vehicles in the country have been uploaded on NIC (National Informatics Centre), the system on reading the registration number can scan the document details of the vehicle,” said Transport Secretary Yadav. 

Apart from automatic document verification, these AI-driven traffic management systems will also encompass cameras, to detect fines, traffic rules violations, overtake, skipping signals and improper lane usage. 

Since the commencement of trial period of the first phase, many people and commuters in Sikkim have rushed to get their documents, especially pollution certificates updated.  

The Police said that through this system, unlike the physical checking of vehicle documents, time for authorities and commuters will be saved.  It will also lead to better transparency.