A defunct traffic signal at Ram Mandir Square in Bhubaneswar. Telegraph picture

Bhubaneswar, Sept. 19: The dilapidated traffic signal posts in the city will shortly get a makeover with the municipal corporation deciding to upgrade the system.

The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation has decided to prepare a detailed project report, which will include identification of junctions and intersections requiring traffic signals and identification of space for pedestrian access.

“The agency, which would be roped in for preparation of the project report, would be finalised by the end of this month. Once the report is prepared, installation would start,” said project officer of the civic body Srimanta Mishra. A corporation official said audiometric traffic signals would be installed at major traffic intersections in the city to help visually impaired commuters as well.

According to the upgrade plan, the civic body would introduce modern technologies such as CCTV camera-linked traffic surveillance system and central operation centres, where computers could analyse the traffic flow.

The plan also involves development of traffic islands (an elevated green area at spacious traffic junction). The official said the modernised signals would be installed at more than 60 locations in the city.

Though the city has as many as 17 functional traffic posts with signals, most of these are lying defunct. Traffic signals at Rabi Talkies Square, Kalpana Square, Ram Mandir Square and PMG Square have been lying defunct for the past few months.

While police said criminals often cut wires of the signals, which run on electricity, residents alleged that in the absence of the signals, they had to face difficulty while passing through traffic intersections. “During heavy downpour it becomes almost impossible to spot the traffic personnel at traffic posts. Besides, the lower-visibility level during rain makes the intersections accident prone,” said Satyajit Choudhury, a city resident.

In 2008, the police had signed an agreement with a Calcutta-based company to maintain 11 traffic signals for 10 years. The company had invested about Rs 88 lakh on automated traffic signal systems at 11 locations, including Big Bazar Square, Rupali Square, AG Square and Sriya Square. But, allegations of poor functioning of some of the points forced the civic body and the police to opt for an upgrade of these points.