As the monsoon is on the brink of approaching the region, the authorities have finally woken up and decided to switch city’s traffic signals to blinker mode to offer some relief from the scorching heat for commuters. Shashikant Satav, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Traffic, confirmed to ‘The Hitavada’ that the blinker mode for almost 35 traffic signals will be kept on from 12 pm to 4 pm. These selected signals, including those in the Civil Lines area, are those spots where the police officials have observed less traffic during the afternoon hours. Thus, the ones who are driving vehicles during these hours need not have to stop at traffic signals in the heat, and can cross the intersection with relatively less traffic around.

 

As the temperature was rising, it was observed that there were increasing cases of commuters jumping signals as they were finding it difficult to wait at signals in scorching heat. Many citizens were waiting for the traffic police to implement the blinking mode. “Senior citizens, students going to colleges or coaching classes, home-delivery individuals driving two-wheelers have been risking their lives by jumping signals, while some of them wait which is equally harmful for their health,” expressed Rajiv Jagtap, President of Janmanch. The citizens raise questions as to why it takes too long for the authorities concerned to implement such necessary measures at the wane of summer season, when for a major part of the season, the citizens were subjected to follow the traffic signal in scorching heat. While this temporary solution will help commuters deal with the heat, they still need to be careful and follow traffic rules.

 

Jagtap wondered why did it take so long for authorities to realise discomfort of citizens who patiently followed the rule at traffic signals. The decision to put the signals on blinkers should have come early and that would have really provided relief to the citizens. There are standard norms in place as to actions to be taken by authorities whenever temperature during summer goes beyond certain point. Even otherwise, it is seen that during the peak afternoon the traffic otherwise on city roads was thin. The fact was even admitted by DCP Traffic who however pointed out the signals would function normally at busy squares. Still, it is felt by citizens that the action of putting the signals on blinkers should have been taken at start of the scorching heat in the first week of May itself. It’s implementation at fag end of scorching summer is akin to testing the limits of endurance of the common man. So much relief for common man, alas!