Grid lock: Smart City can wait but traffic signals cannot!

Srinagar, Dec 8:  Most of the traffic signals have become defunct leading to the traffic chaos on the Srinagar roads.

Traffic signals at Kara Nagar, Batamaloo, Polo View, Dalgate, Gojwara, Khanyar, Rainawari, Sanat Nagar, Nawa Kadal and Nowgam are lying defunct for the last several weeks. Commuters are fuming as nobody from the administration is bothered to fix the traffic signal system in the city.

 “It took me two hours to reach Lal Chowk from Hawal due to the heavy traffic jam at Gojwara Chowk. Normally the distance can be covered in 30 minutes. Traffic signal at Gojwara Chowk is lying defunct for the last many months which has led traffic mess”, said Shuhaib Pandith, a commuter. 

Another commuter, Faizan Khan said that due to the dysfunctional traffic signals, vehicles cross through no entry zones at will. “There is no one to stop people from creating traffic mess,” he said. 

Joint Commissioner, Works, Srinagar Municipal Corporation, Ishtiaq Ahmad Shah said all traffic Signal junctions are being upgraded to Integrated Command Control System (ICCS). “Currently signals are operating on normal mode and it will be upgraded to the intelligent traffic signals,” he said

Shah noted that many signals are already upgraded to intelligent traffic signals but due to the unavailability of internet, they are not operating properly. 

“We are going to install Red Light Violation Detection System (RLVDS) and Speed Violation Detection System (SVDS). Any person who will violate the traffics rules, his vehicle number will automatically get traced and challan will be handed over to him,” he said.

Shah noted that once the situation in the valley improves, Srinagar will have the best traffic intelligent lights signals.  “In March we will have 64 junctions fully functional with all the latest facilities,” he said.