ANANTAPUR: If you wait for a green light at traffic junctions on Anantapur city roads, you may end up waiting there for long. This is mainly because only red traffic lights are working. No other light is functioning at all main circles in the city.
As a result, at least four traffic constables have to control traffic at all the main points from morning till late night every day.
When traffic signalling system had been introduced two years ago, vehicle commuters had to be educated about following traffic signals. But for past two months, only red lights at the signals are working. This is irksome, particularly for travellers from other cities who end up waiting at the junctions despite heavy traffic.
A car driver from Bengaluru, attuned to following traffic signal lights, said he kept waiting for a green signal. But realised he had to move after other commuters warned him. “I was waiting for green signal at Sapthagiri Circle. Only later I noticed that except red, other signal lights are not working,” the driver remarked.
Lack of entire complement of traffic lights at the six main traffic junctions in Anantapur city has caused quite a burden on traffic cops. Records available with the Road Transport Authority reveal the number of vehicles, including cars and motorcycles; have tripled during the past decade. As a result, traffic density has increased. Traffic cops at the junctions are having a tough time managing the situation.
Rectification of signalling system could reduce the burden on cops and create awareness among people about following traffic rules, Suresh Babu of Prajavedika observed.
