The Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) considers installing solar panels at all traffic signals as the automated system often remains out of order due to frequent power cuts.
The DCC received an official request to this effect from the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) that manages the city traffic.
Police officials responsible for traffic control say they have to engage three times more personnel to control traffic flow manually due to the non-functioning of automated signals. This ultimately results in shortage of force in anti-crime and other regular activities in the police department, they add.
The DMP traffic department has a 2,200-strong force including 750 traffic sergeants in addition to around 500 hired Ansar members to control traffic in three shifts.
“We sent an official letter to the city corporation on August 31 requesting them to set solar panels at 59 intersections where automated system is installed,” DMP Commissioner AKM Shahidul Hoque told The Daily Star.
“As our entire traffic management system is faulty, we cannot properly implement any of our decisions. Until and unless our limited road space is increased through alternative means, it won’t be possible to ensure smooth vehicular movement.
“We cannot always follow the traffic rules due to overflow of vehicles on the road. But uninterrupted signalling system will help us a lot. Besides, it makes a habit of obeying traffic rules for the city dwellers,” the DMP commissioner observed.
“Faulty or disrupted signalling system is of little help. If the solar panels are installed, the automated system will work uninterruptedly even at night,” he added.
Officials say DCC installed around 700 automated signal lights at 59 strategic intersections in 2008 at a cost of Tk 25 crore to make traffic movement smooth.
Contacted, Mayor Sadeque Hossain Khoka told The Daily Star, “We are now verifying the viability of the proposal to install solar panels at signal points.”
“If the feasibility study suggests a positive outcome, we must do it soon,” said the mayor, adding, “We are now assessing the cost.”
DMP Joint Commissioner (Traffic) Mohammad Shafiqur Rahman said signals at around 20 intersections on average always remain out of order due to power shortage.
Traffic constable Mosharref Hossain, who controls traffic movement at the Sonargaon intersection, said they have to face severe difficulties during load-shedding hours.
“When the traffic signals do not work, we have to appear physically on the middle of the road risking our lives to control the traffic. Besides, additional forces are also needed.”
Bus driver Imrul Kabir said, “Where there is no signal light, we do not understand whether we are allowed to go forward or not.”
“If we want to bring the entire city under automated system, we must install signals at over 150 more points,” said Shafiqur Rahman.
Article from The Daily Star, Image From The New Nation archive
