Battling power supply,cops look to solar energy for traffic signals

Facing criticism for ugly traffic jams that brought many parts of the city to a standstill as the traffic lights stopped functioning due to recent heavy rains...

Facing criticism for ugly traffic jams that brought many parts of the city to a standstill as the traffic lights stopped functioning due to recent heavy rains,the Traffic Police is in talks with Bharat Electronic Limited (BEL) to emulate Bangalores solar signal system.

The Delhi Traffic Police has been repeatedly asking various power companies to ensure dedicated power supply for traffic signals in the Capital. In the power-starved city the traffic polices request,however,is yet to be cleared.

Lieutenant-Governor Tejindra Khanna had proposed to put up the solar signals at select crossings after the torrential rainfall in July and August.

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At present,only 10 signals have back-up facility; the Delhi Traffic Police recently tendered for maintenance and upgradation of the signals.

Solar-powered traffic signals are expected to be effective in the Capital,where traffic lights are run on electricity and dont function frequently because of damaged transmission cables and regular powercuts. Recently,Khanna asked the traffic police to prepare a proposal in this regard. Once the proposal is ready,Khanna will have to approve it before it can be implemented

We have 725 traffic signals in Delhi. We hope to cover at least 100 signals as part of the pilot project, a senior traffic official said.

Joint Commissioner (Traffic) S N Shrivastava said discussions are on with BEL,however,like other firms BEL can also tender for maintenance and upgradation of traffic lights. All firms are welcome in Delhi, he said.

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