New in Capital: Swish traffic stoppers in grey and black

Monday, Aug 23, 2010

The next time you drive down to a crossroad in the Capital, you might end up blinking at the traffic signal instead of the other way around.

The reason? Stylish cantilevered traffic signals, based on an international model, are slated to come up at 150 intersections across the city soon. The Delhi Traffic Police have zeroed in on a particular design — complete with a grey pole, black polycarbonate casing and LED lights — for installation on several corridors being streetscaped for the Commonwealth Games.

Some intersections like Rajghat and CR Park already have the new traffic signals in place. The signals, placed on cantilevers would also be installed at intersections such as August Kranti Marg, Mehrauli-Badarpur Road, Hauz Khas Circle, Africa Avenue, Nizamuddin Ring Road, Lady Shri Ram College, Paharganj and Lodhi Road over the next month.

However, while Dwarka and CR Park have signals on blue poles with black polycarbonate casing, the Delhi Traffic Police recently decided to change the overall colour code to grey and black. Officials said that though there are no immediate plans to change the signals already installed at CR Park and Dwarka, they would eventually be brought under the uniform colour code as well.

Agencies such as the NDMC, PWD, CPWD and MCD, which are undertaking streetscaping work on several important corridors for the Games, have been requested by the Traffic Police to allocate a certain amount for changing the signals too.

Special Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Ajay Chadha told Newsline, "We looked at several designs and have zeroed in on a grey and black code for the new cantilevered traffic signals. The new signals have LED lights that consume less power. This is in keeping with international standards. The change will eventually be integrated with the intelligent traffic system (ITS) that has been planned for the entire city. That will take over two years to be implemented in its entirety."

As of now, only corridors that are bing streetscaped for the Games will get the new traffic signals. Officials said CMS and Keltron have been awarded the contract for installing them, estimated at Rs 4-8 lakh each, depending on the size. The cost includes installation of the system, wiring, controller and poles.

"The cost of changing the signals is being borne by civic agencies. Contracts have been signed with the firms, which will change the signals at 150 chosen intersections," Chadha said.

Original news source http://www.indianexpress.com/news/new-in-capital-swish-traffic-stoppers-in-grey-and-black/663684/0