Five more traffic signals identified for relocation: Cops

HYDERABAD: After three traffic signals were removed from locations in the city last year, after U-turns were introduced in their place, and installed at other junctions, five more signals have been identified for relocation, said top traffic cops.
According to traffic police department, while the city had 152 signals earlier, 32 signals were closed over the past year and U-turns were introduced in their place, thus bringing the total count of traffic signals within city limits to 120.
Nine of the 32 signals that were removed were set aside to be relocated to new locations identified based on needs. The traffic signal that was closed at Film Nagar has been relocated to Banzara Darwaza, while the old traffic signal at Lingampally X Road has been relocated to Puranapul. The traffic signal that was removed from Saleemnagar has been relocated to Fateh Darwaza, said officials.
“Earlier we had 152 signals at major junctions in Hyderabad — out of which 32 signals were closed last year when Uturns were introduced a little ahead at many places such as KCP Junction and VV Statue. It was done for smoother traffic flow and to reduce commute time. After the 32 junctions were closed, nine new locations, where there is a need for traffic signals, were identified and works pertaining to the same are currently ongoing. Teams of Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) are taking care of the relocation work,” said Anil Kumar, Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic), Hyderabad.
“All existing traffic signals are linked to our traffic command and control room. Nine places where there is need for a traffic signal were identified,” he added. According to GHMC statistics, there are currently 475 junctions within GHMC limits — out of which 221 junctions have traffic signals.