BRT: Not responsible for erratic traffic signals, say traffic cops
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06/05/2008
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Indian Express (New Delhi)
Even as the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor continues to test the patience of commuters, the blame game between agencies in charge of the project continues, this time over traffic signals at intersections. While DIMTS has reportedly lodged a complaint with the CM's office over the lack of cooperation from the Delhi Traffic Police, after the fiasco during Saturday's power cut, the traffic police has cleared its stand as far as signals on the corridor are concerned. "The traffic signals along the BRT corridor are managed by CMS, who have been outsourced by RITES in this case,' said S N Srivastav, joint commissioner (traffic). "So unlike in other cases, the traffic police is not responsible if the signals stop working,' he said, adding the traffic police deploy personnel only if there is an "official' request for traffic police. The traffic signals have, in fact, been functioning erratically at all nine intersections along the corridor, and instead of being automatic, are operated manually by officials posted by DIMTS. Admitting that the signals are being operated manually, an official said, "The signals have to be tried and we are yet to study traffic behaviour. We will put them on automatic mode only if we are sure that the signal cycles do not lead to pile ups at intersections.' Meanwhile, DIMTS has posted over 70 marshals across the corridor to guide traffic. DIMTS officials also said software provided by private firm CMS is now functioning.