Visakhapatnam: As the sky in the city remained cloudy for two consecutive days, the solar-powered red light signals went defunct throwing traffic completely out of gear. Traffic chaos was witnessed at major junctions on the National Highway passing through the city. Commuters, especially office goers, faced a horrid time and reached office late.
A commuter, P. Anil, said, “I had to wait for 10 minutes at the Haumanthawaka Junction on my way to office while coming from the BRT corridor. Most of the red lights did not flash today. The traffic signalling system should be equipped with alternate source of power when it does not get enough from the solar system.” “In rainy season, there has to be an alternative. When more number of vehicles are hitting the road, the signalling system needs to be upgraded soon,” said A. Santu.
Over 40,000 trucks and heavy vehicles ply on the city roads daily. Over 47 traffic junctions in the city are yet to be equipped with signalling system. Though traffic cops are being deployed at the junctions, the heavy flow of traffic is making it a tough task. In addition, the flow of traffic is yet to become smooth as motorists in the city are being forced to wait for long at many junctions due to lack of synchronisation of signal lights which needs to be upgraded.
