Pedestrian-controlled traffic signals at eight more places

Pedestrian-controlled traffic signals at eight more places

The Hindu

`Whenever pedestrians want to cross the roads at these places, they themselves can switch on the signals'

BANGALORE: Pedestrians, the "silent minority" on city roads, will now have a relatively easier time.

To ensure the safety of pedestrians on busy roads, the city police will install pedestrian-controlled traffic signals at eight junctions in the city.

The Bangalore city Commissioner of Police, Ajai Kumar Singh, will inaugurate the signals on Saturday.

Where they will be installed

The police who had installed such signals on a pilot basis on Queen's Road and Victoria Road will now extend them to eight more places, Infantry Road (near Police Commissioner's office), Ulsoor bus stand, Richmond Road, Residency Road, Kempegowda Road (near Taluk Office), Ring Road (near Tin Factory), Cunningham Road (near Wockhardt Hospital) and Cantonment Railway Station.

The Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic-East), M. Abdullah Saleem, told The Hindu on Thursday that whenever pedestrians want to cross the roads at these places, they themselves can switch on the signals.

Once the signal is switched on, pedestrians will get 15 seconds to cross the road. After 15 seconds, the signal gets locked for two minutes.

The other pedestrians have two wait for two minutes to switch on the signal again, Mr. Saleem explained.

All the roads on which these signals will be installed are one-ways and have heavy pedestrian movement, he said.

Association

To demand better facilities for pedestrians, a forum called Bangalore Association of Pedestrians United (BAPU) has been formed.

The forum launched by a U.S.-returned doctor, Govindappa Rangaiah, has urged the authorities concerned to provide at least one minute time for pedestrians to cross roads at all busy junctions.

BAPU has also urged the authorities to install signals at each crossing or post a policeman or a police guide.

Dr. Govindappa Rangaiah has said that those who would like to associate with BAPU and work for the safety of pedestrians can contact him on Ph: 23512149 or e-mail him at: ranggit@yahoo.com.