The burgeoning number of vehicles on Pune roads has prompted the traffic po lice to increase the signal timings from 12 hours to 16 hours a day. So, instead of 9 am to 9 pm, 34 major junctions will now have signals that are operational from 7 am to 11 pm.
Police officials said Pune, Pimpri and Chinchwad have nearly 60 lakh residents and the number of vehicles is around 35 lakh. Since 2011, there has been an addition of over two lakh vehicles every year. Deputy commissioner of police (traffic) Sarang Awad said, “The traffic in the city has increased drastically in the last few years, so we have to extend the timings of the signals. The decision has been taken in order to ease the traffic flow at the chowks and to avoid accidents. In each zone, one officer will be in charge from 7 am and after 9 pm.“
He added, “We have synchronised signal timings for many roads to ensure a smooth flow. Apart from that, there are regular awareness drives in which people are asked to follow the traffic rules.“
Keshav Joshi, a KPO employee, told Mirror, “The number of vehicles on the road is increasing, which has led to traffic congestion. At least a year ago, there were no traffic signals at Vishrantwadi, but now there are three. Signals have helped to reduce jams at busy junctions, partic ularly at the main Vishrantwadi Chowk and 509 Chowk.“
Sumit Kumar Singh, a marketing manager with a private firm, said, “Traffic signals make people disciplined, otherwise everybody wants to go first, which chokes up the junctions. However, a traffic policeman or warden should be posted at the signal to act as a deterrent.“
People are also being cautioned against speeding vehicles at night. “I had a close shave twice when I had stopped at a signal around 10 pm. Though I had stopped, some vehicles were coming from behind at high speed. I survived as I moved out of their way in time because they kept honking,“ said Mihir Bhange, a techie.
Source : Pune Mirror
