India’s first signal-free city reveals what keeps cars moving - and it's not Bengaluru or Hyderabad

Traffic signal

In a first-of-its-kind achievement for India, Kota in Rajasthan, popularly known as the nation’s “coaching capital”, has become the country’s first city to operate entirely without traffic lights.

This transformation, driven by modern urban design and extensive infrastructure upgrades, has turned Kota into a model of uninterrupted traffic flow despite its dense population and heavy vehicular movement.

The initiative was led by the Urban Improvement Trust (UIT) of Kota, which adopted an innovative, long-term approach to urban mobility.

By creating a network of interconnected ring roads, the UIT made it possible for vehicles to bypass the city’s most congested stretches.

At key junctions, more than two dozen flyovers and underpasses have been constructed to ensure continuous, signal-free movement of vehicles.

These structures eliminate the need for halts at intersections and reduce both accident risks and fuel wastage caused by repeated stops and starts. The system works efficiently by using design-based solutions instead of electronic traffic signals.

Kota’s “no-traffic-light” model is built on intelligent engineering. Intersections are carefully structured to avoid conflict points and direct vehicles smoothly in the right direction.

* Flyovers and underpasses: Separate traffic vertically to prevent crossing conflicts.

* Roundabouts and one-way routes: Keep vehicles moving and prevent bottlenecks.

* Clear signage and markings: Help drivers navigate safely and confidently.

* Traffic police and volunteers: Deployed during peak hours to guide flow and assist pedestrians.

Today, vehicles in Kota move at a steady pace rather than the usual stop-and-go pattern seen in other Indian cities.

Despite serving lakhs of residents and thousands of students, traffic now flows smoothly and predictably. Kota’s success proves that strategic infrastructure planning can replace conventional signals, and offer a smarter, safer, and more sustainable future for urban commuting in India.