Traffic signals to make a comeback

19 junctions to be covered in first phase to ease vehicular congestion

The district authorities here have decided to reinstall traffic signals at 19 important junctions for smooth flow traffic in Karimnagar town.

A decision to this effect was taken on Tuesday at a meeting organised by Commissioner of Police V.B. Kamalasan Reddy with Municipal Commissioner K. Shashanka, traffic police and experts from National Institute of Technology (NIT), Warangal.

In 2011, authorities had removed existing traffic signals in the town and redesigned traffic islands sans signals. The pathways were made narrower to ensure that the vehicles moved slowly, thereby reducing the possibility of accidents.

However, with steady increase in the numbers of vehicles over the years, traffic snarls are commonplace and to reduce congestion, the police and municipal authorities have decided to reintroduce traffic signals at 19 traffic islands in the first phase and later extend to the remaining 19 junctions in the town.

Another highlight of the meeting, sources said, was a discussion on removing statues of various leaders from the traffic islands and relocate them to one place either on the shores of LMD reservoir or a public place. The officials have decided to seek opinion of all political parties, NGOs and others in this regard.

Large-scale road widening works and removal of encroachments on footpaths is also likely to be undertaken soon. A campaign to educate pedestrians on footpath use was also proposed at the meeting.