The Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (CUMTA) is exploring the creation of a telecom-powered ‘digital twin’ to map the city’s mobility patterns using anonymised smartphone data. Shared by telecom providers, the data will capture trip origins, destinations, timings, distances, and frequency, enabling advanced transport planning.

Initially, the pilot will cover a specific corridor before citywide rollout. The system will integrate telecom data from call records, tower pings, and apps, with other inputs like CCTV and GPS logs to create accurate origin–destination matrices. These will be used to simulate policy changes, route modifications, and infrastructure upgrades in real time.

A non-disclosure agreement with telecom firms is planned, with a joint working group to set data protocols. Officials say this could make Chennai the first Indian city to deploy a full-scale telecom-powered digital twin, boosting efficiency and reducing congestion.