Drones to Monitor Traffic in Major Punjab City

Rawalpindi authorities have introduced drones and an expanded camera network to strengthen enforcement of traffic laws, starting with monitoring in the city’s busiest and most congested zones.

Chief Technology Officer Farhan Aslam said the initiative is part of a broader effort to use modern technology to curb unsafe driving. “We are now acting against violators through real-time drone surveillance,” he explained.

He added that underage driving, helmetless motorcyclists, and one-way violations will be strictly addressed as part of the new measures.

According to the CTO, the primary objective is to protect lives, not just issue fines. He noted that the traffic police are taking concrete steps to reduce accidents and ensure safer travel for everyone.

The e-challan system, officially launched on November 22, is now fully connected to the Safe City Command and Control Centre. In the first four days of operation, authorities issued around 600 electronic tickets for various traffic offenses.

More than 2,000 cameras have been positioned at 359 locations across Rawalpindi, with an additional 15 cameras installed at the city’s entry and exit routes. The extensive network is being used to monitor public areas, assess traffic flow, evaluate warden performance, and oversee major roads.

Initially, enforcement is focused on violations considered most dangerous to human life, including riding motorcycles without helmets, not wearing seatbelts, and using mobile phones while driving.