PWD gives nod to solar traffic signals

The plan is part of the Intelligent Traffic System project,which the government hopes to put in place before the Commonwealth Games. “We needed permission from the Delhi Traffic Police and the PWD before we could go ahead with the plan,” a NDPL official said.

“We intend to ensure that the signal is in place within the next one week. We intend to extend this service at other places in the city as well,” an NDPL official said.

Earlier this year,the Delhi police had expressed their concern over the safety of the photovoltaic panels — used to power solar traffic signals — after they had reportedly been stolen from various locations in the city. Thereafter,the discom approached the PWD to use one of their secure booths in Rohini to place the photovoltaic panel. Currently,only a few traffic signals in the city are solar powered — Nizamuddin,Moolchand,and IGI Airport.

Solar-powered traffic signals are environment-friendly as they do not draw energy from conventional systems and moreover they are also increasingly being considered as more dependable.

“For instance,if there is a power cut in a certain area,a solar-powered signal will not shut down due to stored solar generated energy,” an NDPL official said.