City Has Just 293 Signals For 2,600km Of Roads, Infra News, ET Infra

AHMEDABAD: This bustling metropolis, which has a sprawling road network stretching over 2,634km, finds itself grappling with an astonishing deficit of traffic signals. With a meagre 293 traffic signals scattered across the city, a staggering number of intersections are left to the discretion of commuters.

What’s even more perplexing is that Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) appears to have lost track of the actual number of these crossroads requiring traffic signals, as comprehensive road surveys have been a distant memory for the past two decades.

Adding to this conundrum, approximately 5% of the existing 293 traffic signals are shockingly dysfunctional.

This leaves citizens, particularly in areas like Maktampura, Sarkhej, Vejalpur, Ghatlodia, and Chandkheda — which were assimilated into AMC’s jurisdiction after 2007 — navigating bustling crossroads devoid of traffic signals, said sources in the civic body. These areas, now among the busiest in the city, face a void in essential traffic infrastructure.

Recently, AMC decided to address this shortage by introducing five traffic signals at key junctions: Naranpura T point, Godrej Garden City junction, Jagatpur flyover crossroads, Bibi Talav junction in Vatva, and Baghban crossroads in Shilaj.

Reflecting on the situation, an AMC official revealed that around two decades ago, the civic body conducted periodic road surveys to identify traffic points requiring signals. They also projected future traffic junctions that would necessitate signals. However, AMC has long abandoned this practice and now only installs signals based on recommendations from councillors, MLAs, MPs, or influential individuals. Proposals from citizens are also considered but are subject to approval from the traffic police department.

The official acknowledged, “Several areas were annexed into AMC limits after 2007, and several new town planning schemes were approved. Yet, without updated road surveys, the installation of new traffic signals is primarily driven by citizen requests.”

The five traffic signals have been installed following demands from citizens, the official said, adding: “There are demands from citizens to install traffic signals at Rahul Tower, Prernatirth Derasar crossroads, crossroads near Omkareshwar Mahadev Temple, all in Satellite, and the junction after Damru Circle in Ghatlodia. The AMC may install the signal here soon.”

The official further disclosed that although funds are allocated annually for the installation of 10-15 traffic signals, only a fraction of these plans come to fruition. He estimated that conducting a comprehensive road survey could necessitate the installation of about 200 new traffic signals in the city.

“Currently, Ahmedabad has a total of 293 traffic signals, with an additional five in the pipeline. Their future expansion hinges on public demand and recommendations from the traffic police department,” said M K Ninama, an additional engineer in AMC’s traffic department.