Ranchi: At least half the traffic signals of the capital aren't functioning properly, making it extremely difficult for policemen manning busy thoroughfares to ensure smooth flow of traffic, the lacunae coming light at a time when chief minister Raghubar Das is himself conducting surprise inspections at night to address the problem of snarls.
Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC), that started addressing the problem after SP (traffic) Sanjay Ranjan Singh wrote to them, has found out that of the 21 traffic lights, as many as 10 do not function properly. RMC estimated that it would require Rs 20 lakh to repair all of them.
"The time isn't working for some of the traffic lights, while others suffer from cable issues. At a light on Birsa Chowk, for instance, we found the pole missing. At Booty More, we realised we needed to shift the position of the traffic light for better visibility," said the official who claimed they had asked the authorities to organise funds.
RMC in-charge of electricity affairs Nagendra Dubey admitted Rs 20 lakh would be required. "We have moved a file seeking the release of Rs 20 lakh. We hope to get the money soon," he said.
Municipal commissioner of Shantanu Agrahari, who did not know of the SP's letter and the file about the funds demand had been moved, however, promised to look into it. "So far, I haven't seen the file. I will release funds the moment the file reaches me," he said.
A traffic constable deputed at Jail More said he finding it difficult to do his job without functioning lights.
"A traffic signal is of great help. Now that it doesn't work, we face a lot of problems," he said.
Another constable deputed at Kantatoli Chowk was equally distraught.
"With the help of technology, work can be done with limited manpower. With less than 300 traffic constables, defunct traffic light throws up another challenge," he explained.
Prodded by the chief minister, traffic police on Wednesday barricaded unwarranted breaches on road medians, another cause of frequent snarls.
While police provisionally barricaded a breach near Kishoreganj Chowk on Harmu Road, officers said three more breaches on a 1.5km stretch between Sahjanand Chowk and Harmu Muktidham would be sealed soon.
