Police officers would finally undertake the long-planned trip to Bhubaneswar next month to learn about effective traffic control measures in the Odisha capital.

Patna superintendent of police (traffic) Chandrika Prasad said: “We got the nod from the police headquarters last week to study the traffic system in Bhubaneswar. We had sent the Odisha police a letter requesting permission to go there to study their traffic system. We got a call from a senior police officer last week, assuring us of all assistance.”

Elaborating on the tour plan, the officer said: “A few officers and I shall travel to Odisha in the second week of December. After studying the traffic system there, we would compile a report suggesting the various measures that can be taken to improve the traffic situation in Patna.”

In July, the state police had identified similarities between the traffic in Patna and Bhubaneswar.

“The traffic in the Odisha capital was chaotic a few years ago. But it improved considerably after traffic signals were installed. Besides, the traffic management system of the city is also very effective,” said Prasad.

Bhubaneswar is one of the planned modern cities of India, along with Chandigarh and Jamshedpur. German architect Otto Konigsberger designed it in 1946.

One of the major aims of the Patna police study is to determine means to keep traffic signals functional for long periods without any hiccups. At present, Patna has at least 15 traffic signals to manage vehicular movement on thoroughfares. But all the signals are defunct.

After the study report is approved, a surveyor would be finalised. The surveyor, who would probably be from Odisha, would conduct a month-long assessment to identify the pressure points on the streets.

Prasad said: “After the trip, we would finalise the process of setting up traffic signals in the state capital. Last time, the signals became defunct a few days after installation. The police lodged an FIR against the Calcutta-based company for not carrying out the job properly. This time, we would be very careful about choosing a company for the job. The scenario would be clear by mid-December.”

Earlier, the cops had claimed that it was unfeasible to install electronic signals. Later, they claimed that they were trying to finalise an agency for the job.