Red light & flags: Will new traffic signals ease jams amid old woes?

Bhopal: Tired of high traffic, endless jams and lack of measures? In what could signal some measure of relief, four new traffic signals were installed at major junctions in Arera Colony, Shahpura, Govindpura and Bhadbhada Road, but will they be able to stop old woes?Traffic authorities have also identified 22 locations, including Polytechnic Square, to install new traffic signals but residents remain wary of their ability to bolster management as problems around them remain unaddressed. For instance, red light violations are rampant at Platinum Plaza Square and Jawahar Chowk Square in the absence of CCTV/ITMS cameras. Many traffic signals were disturbed due to the ongoing metro work. At many places, the CCTV cameras had to be removed due to the construction works, thereby affecting strict monitoring. One of the traffic signals installed at Pragati Square was removed after being broken in a road accident more than two months back It is yet to be replaced.For now, the signals have been installed at key high-pressure points, including Bawadia Kalan, Danapani Road, Career College Trisection and Sakshi Dhaba Trisection.Traffic cops said that once operational, these signals are expected to regulate the movement of nearly two lakh vehicles. However, the systems are yet to be activated due to pending electricity connections, which are likely to be completed by next week, officials claimed.Among the identified locations, Bawadia Kalan in Shahpura is witnessing the highest traffic load, with nearly 300 vehicles passing every minute during peak hours and around 30,000 vehicles daily. Danapani Road follows closely as it records over 20,000 vehicles, often leading to congestion that turn into endless traffic jams.At Career College Trisection, traffic snarls worsen during school hours due to additional pressure from nearby residential areas such as Awadhpuri. Long queues are a common sight. The Sakshi Dhaba Trisection stretch, which earlier had no signal system, frequently faced chaotic traffic movement and accident risks, especially after the construction of four-lane Bhadbhada-Neelbad Road.Currently, the city has a total of 69 traffic signals installed. Five are not being used currently and are kept on hold. When asked about them, authorities said they're planning to reactivate old traffic signals that have remained non-functional for a long time.Additional DCP (Traffic) Basant Kaul said that four traffic signals have been installed at major congestion points to improve traffic flow and will be activated shortly. He added that 22 more locations have been identified and emphasised that strict monitoring and adherence to traffic rules will be crucial in effectively controlling traffic congestion in the city.