THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a bid to streamline traffic in the city, the Kerala State Road Fund Board (KSRFB) is installing new traffic signal lights at ten important junctions.
While the defunct traffic signals at several junctions are being replaced with new ones, signals are being introduced at the busy Jagathy, Edapazhanji and Kumarichantha (on the NH Bypass, on way to Beemapally) intersections.
A new signal has already been installed at Xanadu Junction, near the Government Women’s College at Vazhuthacaud, while a pedestrian-operated signal system has come up near Cotton Hill Girls Higher Secondary School.
The traffic signals at Overbridge, Pattom and at the three junctions at Statue (Secretariat North, Secretariat South and Statue-General Hospital Road junctions) are being replaced with new ones as many of them are now not working.
The one near the Secretariat South Gate was dismantled after a vehicle rammed into it a few months ago. Since then, it has been utter chaos at the junction.
``The new traffic lights are being installed at a cost of Rs One crore. Keltron is carrying out the work and it would be completed without much delay,’’ said KSRFB assistant executive engineer Ashokan.
All the traffic signals would be powered by solar energy. They would have energy back-up for around 48 hours. Keltron would be providing a three-year warranty for all the signals that are being installed now. Any maintenance works thereafter would be carried out by KSRFB.
It may be recalled that many of the traffic signals in the State had become defunct owing to lack of proper maintenance.
``Work on the signals is progressing fast and we plan to complete installation of all the new signals within two months,’’ said Keltron Manvila unit general manager George Kutty.
At present, the work on replacing the signals at Pattom junction is progressing, he said.
trivandrum@epmltd.com