For anyone who drives through Lahore, traffic jams have become an unavoidable part of daily life. Long queues of cars, endless honking, and the stress of running late are scenes most Lahoris know too well. Now, the city is preparing to tackle this issue in a very modern way — by using drones.
The Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA) has announced that from late September, drones will be deployed to monitor the city’s busiest roads. At first, ten drones fitted with cameras will be sent up to keep an eye on traffic hotspots where blockages are common.
Eyes in the Sky
The live footage from these drones will be connected directly to traffic wardens through their LTE handsets. Instead of waiting for reports or depending only on CCTV cameras, wardens will immediately see where the problem is and move in quickly to clear it. This means less waiting for commuters and fewer hours wasted in gridlock.
Officials keep on saying that this “eye in the sky” will especially help during rush hours when small blockages can turn into huge jams within minutes. With faster response times, they hope to ease pressure on both drivers and the road network.
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Bigger Plans Ahead
Presently, the pilot project has only ten drones, but authorities are making plans to add more drones if the system proves successful. The idea is to eventually expand coverage to the entire city, and that will guarantee smoother traffic flow. If it works well, the same model could be used as a model and replicated in other cities of Punjab.
For ordinary Lahoris, this step could be a big relief. Traffic jams don’t just waste time — they also mean more fuel consumption, more pollution, and more frustration. If drones can assist in reducing even part of this daily struggle, it will make a noticeable difference in people’s lives.
By adopting drone technology, Lahore is taking a step toward smarter and more efficient city management — something its growing population badly requires.