Srinagar is a fast growing city that has seen an immense increase in the movement of  Vehicular traffic for the last few years due to a fast changing living standard. It has also happened due to the ease of finance provided by Financial Institutions to avail such facilities to the general public. Economic affluence has made it all the more easy for people to afford a personal transport. Roads presently within the city suburbs feel mostly choked and suffocated due to the fact that  no adequate traffic carrying capacity  is associated with their present state of geometry. The volume  of traffic passing through the streets  cannot be controlled manually only but needs to be streamlined to avoid traffic mess at certain important intersections and junctions. So much of time is wasted on the roads.
The widening of the present road network in the city is a costly and time consuming affair and needs huge amount and time.Till the geometry of roads is improved to cater to the needs of voluminous traffic movement in the city, there is a dire need for the installation of electronic Traffic Signal System for streamlining the traffic. We need such facilities at every intersection that is presently making a traffic conflict point as Jehangir Chowk, Rambagh Chowk, Barzulla, Hyderpora Intersection, Batamaloo, Khanyaar, Nouhatta, Dalgate, Athwajan, Karan Nagar, Regal Chowk, Poloview, TRC , SK Stadium and many other such spots where the mess is too horrible to negotiate. The modern technology has developed to such an extent that there are Light Emitting Diodes ( LED’s) presently been  used in such situations where we have acute shortage of electric supply. LEDs are high Intensity Diodes that consume least power with high luminous Intensity and can have an ordinary  battery backup with normal 12 volt batteries that can run it for 24 hours without fail. The technology is evident from the advent of LED TV’s which are surpassing all standards of economy in terms of power consumption and quality. Hence a robust system of traffic management is need of the hour in view of the coming tourist season and shifting of  move offices to summer capital.
Earlier a team of KELTRON Engineers and consultants  were called  to visit the State in connection with carrying out a traffic survey to fix the modalities for installing the Traffic Signals along the Srinagar Bypass. The team of experts visited the Valley and made a thorough survey of some of the routes including Batamaloo - Parimpora Road. But there was no further progress in the project after their  visit. The traffic mess has attained now such an alarming situation in our valley and Jammu as well that there is an urgent need for traffic regulation as life losses  have increased  beyond limit. We must take now precautionary measures in this regard to prevent further casualties and reduce fatality rate by organizing a robust traffic management system for the welfare of public.
Srinagar Municipal corporation  been entrusted with the task of providing the Traffic signal System for Srinagar City should waste no time in tendering procedure if no suitable  response and technical expertise is available within our state but they must approach government and public sector undertakings outside valley well versed in this technology and make an arrangement with them on priority basis to overcome this messy situation and come out with a viable solution.
( Peer Iftikhar Ahmed is a senior Engineer in PWD Kashmir with Post  Graduation in Civil Engineering  and a member of Indian Roads Congress New Delhi. Feedback at peerzadaiftikhar@gmail.com)

Lastupdate on : Wed, 7 Mar 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 7 Mar 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 8 Mar 2012 00:00:00 IST