Cities need smarter traffic solutions

City traffic is not merely an engineering problem; it is a living, shifting dialogue between people, infrastructure, and technology.

- SHUBHRAJYOTSNA

When that dialogue falters, the consequences are felt everywhere—in wasted hours, lost fuel, mounting emissions, and the frayed tempers of millions stuck in jams that stretch endlessly through India’s urban sprawl. For a country where congestion costs billions in lost productivity each year, the search for smarter, data-driven mobility solutions has become urgent.

The recent collaboration between Google and the Gurugram Traffic Police marks a turning point in how Indian cities might approach the challenge. In November 2025, the two launched a system that brings real-time alerts for speed limits, accident-prone zones, and traffic hazards directly to Google Maps users. The feature, which currently covers 129 major roads with plans to expand to over 200, allows drivers to make safer, more informed choices and gives the administration a live feedback loop to prioritise enforcement and infrastructure fixes.