One step forward, two steps back. This seems to be the pace of police before they can finally decide on installation of electronic traffic signals in the state capital.

Within months of a senior officer saying that the project of re-installation of traffic signals at 17 locations in Patna could be given to some non-government organisation or agency, the police are now thinking twice if the electronic system would be at all feasible for the city.

The police would soon select a team of experts, who will be invited to the city to find out the feasibility of installing electronic traffic signals.

Sources in the police told The Telegraph that the “real work” — the invitation of the tenders — would be done only after the feasibility report arrives.

The sources added that instructions have been given to look for a team of experts from a reputed agency anywhere in the country.

“Recently there was a meeting on the installation of traffic signals. Before proceeding, the police want to check the feasibility of electronic traffic signals in the state capital. It has been earlier said that electronic signals are not quite suitable for Patna because of its traffic scenario. But it’s also a fact that manual signals would mean more manpower and resources in terms of infrastructure. For doing so, the police are planning to recruit a team of experts,” a source said.

The sources added that the decision of installing electronic signals or going on with the manual counterparts would be taken once the report of the committee arrives.

“The police will look for a reputed agency with expertise in the field. The experts will be invited to prepare the report. They will stay in Patna for a while and will check out the traffic situation in various parts of the city. They will prepare the report on the basis of their findings. Further steps would be taken only after they submit the report. Tenders would be floated if they at all feel that electronic signals would work in Patna,” the source added.

With the re-installation of signals in the state capital being planned for quite a some time now, the police are cautious this time as they had burnt their fingers once in the same connection and are in no mood to repeat the same mistake again.

Earlier, superintendent of police (traffic) Chandrika Prasad had told The Telegraph that the re-installation of traffic signals at 17 areas in the city could be given to some non-government organisation or agency.

He had then said that the organisation entrusted with the task would have to abide by some clauses to ensure that the maintenance of the traffic signals was a continuous process.

The officer had made it clear the agency getting the contract would have to ensure that it would maintain the traffic signals for a minimum 10 years. Funds for the purpose would be taken from the agency in one go and the amount would be with the police. Prasad had then said the police would confiscate the amount if the agency failed to maintain the signals.

The recent development is, however, a reversal from the earlier stand that the police had taken.

The sources said the state police headquarters would initiate the process to invite and select an agency for the survey soon.

“Though we cannot give a specific time on when the signals would be installed, we will start the process to hire the agency by next month,” a source said.

Till then, the residents of the state capital can only keep their fingers crossed with a hope that the traffic signals — be it the manual or the electronic ones — start blinking at the earliest.