10 May,2011 06:33 AM IST | | Sheetal Sukhija
Several among the 1,500 Pelican Lights, which were installed by the city traffic police in 2008 to make crossing roads easier, do not work
The Pelican Lights pedestrian traffic lights that have a push button on the sidewalk installed by the Bangalore Traffic Police outside important commercial locations including hospitals, schools and colleges are now dysfunctional since the past two years.
Although the traffic control room has received numerous complaints about dysfunctional installations in the last six months, officials blame the recent heavy rains for the systems not working
The B Track program costing Rs 200 crore was introduced in 2008 to manage traffic after years of complaints from pedestrians about the hazards faced while crossing roads in the city.
Activist groups and citizens appreciated the efforts of the traffic police, but it now appears that the authorities have forgotten about maintaining and updating the installations to ensure the applause keeps coming.
Failed in 6 months
Currently there are 1,500 such crossings in the city and the one outside Fortis Hospital on Cunningham Road stopped working just six months after it was installed.
"These systems were very helpful when they were initially introduced, but now it seems like the money invested has just been wasted. Patients find it difficult to cross the road amidst uncontrollable traffic.
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We understand that it is impossible to man the traffic all day, but the authorities should at least ensure that the facilities work properly," explained Gurueradha Poonja, Marketing Manager, Fortis Hospital.
Aliyea Rizvi from Janaagraha believes that if large amounts of money have been invested in the installation of the facility, then efforts should be made to maintain the same.
"When a citizen friendly facility has been introduced and has been well accepted, then the one singular motto of the traffic police should be to maintain it well," said Aliyea.
Complaints galore
In the last six months, the traffic control room has received numerous complaints of dysfunctional installations. However, LV Tejaswi, traffic inspector, High Grounds police station claims that of the 1,500 installations, only six are dysfunctional.
"Due to the heavy rains, some systems have stopped working, but we're trying our best to restore services. We'll review the one at Cunningham Road with immediate effect. We've also complained to the installation company and they are expected to take action soon," he said.
According to a survey conducted by the traffic police in 2010, 20 pedestrian accidents are being reported each year and with such facilities not being of help, it seems like the number will only rise further.
Dysfunctional
' Residency Road (outside Coffee Day)
' St Marks Road (outside Bishop Cottons Girls School)
' Cunningham Road (outside Fortis Hospital)
' Hosur Road (outside Forum mall)
' Church Street
' Corporation Circle
' Guttahalli
' Marathalli Main Road
' Ulsoor (outside the Ulsoor temple)
' Vijaya Nagar signal (after Mysore Road flyover)
' Victoria Layoutu00a0(outside Lifestyle)
