Lucknow Unveils 20-Year Integrated Traffic and Urban Mobility Strategy to Tackle Urbanisation Challenges
In a significant move to prepare the state capital for rapid urbanisation and escalating traffic pressures, Sarojininagar MLA Rajeshwar Singh has submitted a comprehensive 20-year Integrated Traffic and Urban Mobility Strategy to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. This long-term, technology-driven roadmap aims to make Lucknow traffic-ready for the coming decades, addressing the city's evolving mobility needs with a forward-looking approach.
Shifting from Reactive to Proactive Traffic Management
Highlighting the urgent need for change, Singh emphasised that traffic management can no longer depend on short-term or reactive measures. Instead, it must transition towards a coordinated, data-driven policy framework. Citing VAHAN data, the proposal reveals that by 2025, Lucknow had nearly 31.8 lakh registered vehicles, with an annual addition of 1.2 to 1.5 lakh new vehicles. This surge intensifies congestion, parking stress, and accident risks, underscoring the necessity for a robust strategy.
Key Recommendations: Multi-Department Task Force and Technology Integration
A central recommendation in the blueprint is the establishment of a Multi-Department Traffic Management Task Force. This body would bring together key stakeholders, including:
- Traffic Police
- Urban Development Department
- Lucknow Development Authority (LDA)
- Municipal Corporation
- Public Works Department (PWD)
- Transport Department
- Metro Authorities
- Smart City Cell
The task force would hold mandatory monthly review meetings to ensure time-bound, accountable, and data-backed decision-making, fostering inter-departmental coordination essential for effective urban planning.
Roadmap Priorities: Metro, AI, and Green Transport
The strategy outlines several high-priority initiatives to transform Lucknow into a modern, disciplined, and efficient capital city. Key focus areas include:
- Expansion of Metro and BRT Networks: Enhancing public transport to reduce reliance on private vehicles.
- AI-Based Smart Traffic Signals: Implementing technology to optimise traffic flow and reduce congestion.
- Scientific Vending Zones and Removal of Illegal Encroachments: Clearing pathways and organising street vending to improve mobility.
- Pedestrian-Friendly Infrastructure: Ensuring safe and accessible walkways for citizens.
- Promotion of Electric Mobility and Green Transport: Encouraging eco-friendly alternatives to combat pollution.
Singh stressed that integrated planning is crucial to equip Lucknow for future traffic challenges, making it a model for urban mobility in India. This proactive approach aims to not only alleviate current issues but also build a resilient infrastructure capable of supporting the city's growth over the next two decades.
