VIJAYAWADA: Police officials are making proposals to streamline the rapidly increasing vehicular traffic in city, but the civic body is yet to sanction funds for implementing them.
According to officials, in a study conducted across the city by traffic police, it was found that vehicular traffic has increased after the announcement of State capital Amaravati, and it is especially high during peak hours. With several traffic signals lying defunct at major junctions, the police were found to be facing hardships in regulating the traffic.
To overcome the problem, officials suggested that Adaptive Traffic Management System (ATMS) be implemented in the city at an estimated cost of Rs 15 crore. A representation in this regard, seeking financial aid for improving traffic signals, pedestrian paths and zebra crossings at major roads, was submitted to Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC).
However, the civic body turned down their proposal saying that their financial condition did not allow them to sanction the amount. They suggested that the officials realise the projects with the help of the fines collected from traffic violators instead.
When contacted, Vijayawada Mayor Koneru Sreedhar said that the civic body had recently spent around Rs 80 lakh to renovate defunct traffic signals and improve zebra lines at Eluru Road and Mahatma Gandhi Road.
“Considering our economic condition, we spend a significant amount on the traffic management system. Moreover, the civic body allocates around Rs 50 lakh per annum in the budget for the maintenance of the traffic system in city,” he added.
When asked about the implementation of ATMS in the city, the mayor said VMC would need the support of police for taking the project further due to financial constraints.