Behind BRT, trail of signal failure

Friday, Sep 25, 2009

Even before lane segregation is enforced, driving through Pilot B of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor from Moolchand to Delhi Gate has become a pain for motorists several traffic signals on the way have not been functioning since December last year. Since Mathura Road and Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg are busy arteries, the situation at the intersections is chaotic even during non-peak hours. The traffic police say the signals are being redone for BRT.

Home minister P Chidambaram's remarks on making Delhi, particularly its roads, safer don't seem to hold much meaning for the officials as just four out of 11 signals on the entire stretch are functioning, exposing pedestrians and motorists alike to a huge risk. Since mid-2008 when Delhi government decided to shift the bus lanes to the extreme left in Pilot B and also alter the signalling system of the under-construction corridor accordingly, only four of the 11 signals on the stretch have been redone.

At three other important intersections Delhi Gate, ITO and Mathura Road-Tilak Marg crossings the old signals are still working. At the rest of the intersections, half the signal poles have been uprooted even as their replacements are yet to come. At other intersections like the one near Pragati Maidan freshly painted new signal poles have been put up, but the LED lights are missing.

The signal near Khooni Darwaza has not been working for almost a year now. This has been pointed out by TOI earlier too but to no avail. "There is a U-turn at the crossing that leads to office buildings on BSZ Marg. The signal has not been working for almost one year now because of which the crossing has become highly prone to accidents. Hardly ever is a policeman posted there,'' said Suresh Das, a regular commuter, who works in one of the buildings,

The scene is equally chaotic at the traffic signal near Delhi Zoo. In the morning, there is a rush of vehicles going towards central Delhi from south Delhi. "Every other day, there is a logjam at the crossing as cars come from all over and there is no one to regulate the traffic,'' said Meenakshi Verma, an advocate and resident of Babar Road.

The custodians of the signals, Delhi Traffic Police, say they are fed up with the situation. "The work to redo the signals was awarded to CMS Limited, who were earlier looking after these signals when the road was not under BRT. The company has been really slow. In fact, we have raised the issue and even threatened to impose heavy penalties. But the pace of work has not improved,'' said a senior traffic police officer.

The company has reportedly been paid an advance of Rs 17.5 lakh already, which is about 25 per cent of the total cost of the project of Rs 70 lakh. The signals in question were installed and are being maintained by the same firm which had entered into a contract with Delhi Traffic Police to maintain signals in the city for nearly 20 years.

The way those who run the city are turning a blind eye to so many signals not functioning and are exposing people to danger daily is quite baffling. And how can the traffic cops, who so often carry out safety drives, plead helplessness is equally inexplicable. Is anyone listening?

Original news source http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/city/delhi/Behind-BRT-trail-of-signal-failure/articleshow/5052892.cms