SRINAGAR: Much awaited intelligent traffic signals project started by Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) is yet to be completed and the agency working on the project has been issued show cause notice over delay in completion of work.
SMC had hired Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System Ltd (DIMTS), a Delhi-based transport consultancy and infrastructure Development Company, to install traffic signals in the city.
In first phase, the company has to install 33 lights out of which the company has completed around 21 traffic signal among seven have some electricity issues and other 14 are working.
As per the official at SMC, on three junctions the work is in progress, and on nine junction – the agency has not even started work.
He said that the SMC has withheld the payment to the company for lack of performance.
“We have issued two show case notice to the company, but they did not reply. Hopefully they will complete the work in coming months so that people will have a sigh of relief,” an official said.
As per the official, delay in installing lights has been caused because the department doesn’t have manpower and had some issues with the company.
The Government of India’s Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) launched the scheme and cleared Rs 15 crore for this Srinagar project. In the first phase, 33 high-tech signals in Srinagar were to be installed in six months and after three years – the work on these lights has been started.
Intelligent traffic lights popularly known as smart traffic lights are a vehicle traffic control system that combines traditional traffic lights with an array of sensors and artificial intelligence to intelligently route vehicle and pedestrian traffic. With provision for CCTV camera-based control of traffic signals, the smart lights can sense the approach of vehicles and change the light signal as per the requirement.
The project would have eased the burden on the traffic department which is facing manpower shortage.
As per the proposal, in first phase – the SMC have to convert existing 24 signals installed in the city to intelligent signals and install nine fresh such signals.
In second phase they have to install more 61 new intelligent traffic signals for which department have floated tenders.
Traffic signals where these lights have to be installed include Nowgam Bye pass junction, Sanat Nagar crossing, Sangarmal Junction, clock tower crossing on M.A road, Fire services Batamaloo, J&K headquarters junction, Regal Crossing women college and other junctions.

NAZIMA SIDIQ