Lucknow: In a significant move to tackle persistent traffic congestion, the Lucknow Police on Wednesday deployed dedicated route marshals across 12 of the city’s most congested stretches to ensure smoother vehicular movement during peak hours.
The initiative focuses on high-density corridors where travel time often surges up to five times the normal duration despite relatively short distances. Officials said these routes were identified through data analysis highlighting severe congestion patterns.
Under the ‘One Route, One Marshal’ model, each stretch will be monitored by a designated marshal from the traffic department. These personnel will oversee on-ground traffic regulation, respond swiftly to jams, and coordinate with multiple agencies to resolve bottlenecks.
“If there is any engineering flaw, the route marshal will escalate it to the DCP Traffic. In cases of encroachment or parking issues involving schools, colleges, or offices, the local SHO will intervene,” a senior officer said.
The project has been launched under the initiative of Rajeev Krishna as part of a broader push to modernise urban traffic management and improve commuter experience.
To strengthen the system, authorities are integrating real-time monitoring using Google Maps, enabling quick identification and response to congestion points. Additionally, ADG Traffic Satish Ganesh said a specialised US-based application has been developed to support the initiative.
“The app will capture daily data and calculate minimum, maximum, and average travel time on the identified stretches. Supervisory officers can monitor this in real time,” he said.
Powered by AI-based analytics, the system will generate graphical and tabular outputs, map congestion points live, and provide historical comparisons over time. Officers can access the platform via smartphones without requiring technical expertise.
The initiative is guided by a comprehensive “5E strategy” — Education and Awareness, Enforcement, Engineering and Technological Intervention, Encroachment Removal, and Regulation of e-rickshaw operations — aimed at holistic traffic management.
Officials have set an initial target of reducing peak-hour travel time by 20 percent. Monthly performance reviews will be conducted at police headquarters, where the DGP will assess progress and recommend further improvements.
The programme is also being rolled out across 20 districts in Uttar Pradesh, covering 172 identified routes, marking a major step towards data-driven and accountable traffic policing.
