The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : New traffic signals at 25 junctions

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Dec 27, 2006
ePaper

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

New traffic signals at 25 junctions

Staff Reporter

Confusion prevails over maintenance

HYDERABAD: The MCH has cleared a project for installation of modern traffic lights at 25 junctions of the twin cities at a total cost of Rs. 2 crores though there is still confusion on the overall maintenance of such lights.

The 25 new signals, many of which are proposed for the old city, will be in addition to the 10 new signals installed earlier this year. All these are light emitting diodes (LED) to ensure better visibility from a longer distance when compared to conventional incandescent lights.

Important question

The corporation had also upgraded 15 signals to LEDs from among the 89 junction signal points in association with the traffic police. Yet, the important question as to who will look after the functioning of at least these new lights is not clear.

Even if old traffic lights are in the traffic police ambit, there is a feeling among MCH officials that it will be better if the new signals too are handed over to them. "Since we are already providing the necessary infrastructure, the police can take care of maintenance as they are collecting a lot of money through fines," says an official.

Usually the manufacturer takes care of the lights for a year. But after that no agency -- neither the traffic police nor the civic body -- has bothered to sign any annual maintenance contracts for repairs.

MCH officials point out that in New Delhi, the civic body sets up traffic lights and hands them over to the police for maintenance and hence, a similar method could be adopted here too. However, they are also quick to add that maintenance contracts are in the process of being firmed up wherever they have put up the LED signals. MCH is said to be spending over Rs. 2 crores each year for the last five years for junction improvements and signages, besides traffic lights.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Andhra Pradesh