Poor traffic management: Motorists in Visakhapatnam are expressing displeasure

Visakhapatnam: Even three months after the installation of new traffic signal lights at around 47 major junctions in the city, synchronisation of traffic signal lights is yet to properly implement in the city.

Motorists in Vizag city are expressing displeasure over poor traffic management as the existing traffic signal system has failed to save time and fuel.

Synchronisation of signals will help turn a series of signals green at a stretch easing traffic flow. But, neither Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation nor the city traffic police has come forward to synctraffic signals lights in Andhra Pradesh’s largest city.

Viswanath K., a student from Andhra University, who crosses several junctions everyday, said there is a difference in functioning pattern of signals at various junctions along the busy NH-16 stretch in the city. “For instance, the traffic signal on Gurudwara Junction on NH-16 stretch turns green for vehicles going towards Anakapalle, the traffic signals at Fourth-Town Police Station Junction turns red. The distance between Gurudwara Junction and Fourth-Town Police Station Junction is around 100 metres and motorists often cover the distance within 10 seconds. But motorists have to wait at least 2 minutes for green signals due to the poor functioning pattern,” he added.

Based on the volume of traffic, the GVMC and city traffic police have to adjust the synchronisation of the traffic signals for free flow of traffic. Lack of uniformity in the signal direction is troubling the road users on NH-16 stretch, said Raghu G, a techie.

A police officer said cameras and modern signal lights will be installed at 47 major junctions soon. He said the cameras will be monitored for smoother traffic flow.