ith erratic power supply back in the city, most of the automatic traffic signs that were without power backups were not functioning leading to traffic congestion.
There are about 36 automatic traffic signals in the city with less than five signals having uninterrupted power supply (UPS) backup while the rest of the signals depend on power supply. All the signals at arterial roads at important junctions like Collectorate, Five Road junction, near New Bus Stand depend only on power supply.
During power cuts, traffic personnel regulate the traffic manually. However, in the absence of personnel at important signals, the situation turns chaos leading to accidents and fight between vehicle users. During such situation, pedestrians were the most affected as the risk their life by walking in-between vehicles.
However, the situation becomes worse during night hours when signals do not function and personnel could not be found for regulating traffic.
Vehicle users said that during night hours traffic police personnel were not present often leading to total chaos on roads. “Even at 7.30 p.m. when the traffic is peak, many signals do not function nor police personnel were present”, said a motorist R. Kumaresan. Police personnel said that absence of power backup for traffic signals put tremendous stress on personnel who have to regulate traffic at important junctions. “The cost of providing power backup for all signal is very high and lack of funds is a major problem”, they added.
Police officials said that they have required government to sanction funds from the Road Safety Funds for providing back up facility for the existing signals. Also, they have sought the help of sponsors for installing the facility, they added.
However, the situation becomes worse during night hours when signals do not function and personnel could not be found to regulate traffic.
