Bhubaneswar: Crossing Janpath will be easier for students of Rama Devi Women's University with Bhubaneswar Smart City Limited beginning the process to install the first pelican crossing system in front of the institute.

Pelican is an automatic system, which allows pedestrians to have control over the zebra crossing. While crossing the road, they can turn the signal red by pressing a button. After their exit, the lights will be changed in the usual way. At present, the system is operational only in New Delhi.

"We have identified the critical places where the traffic is heavy, and pedestrians face difficulty crossing the roads. Once the system is installed, pedestrians can simply press the button and cross the road with ease," said mayor Ananta Narayan Jena.

The varsity students have to cross the busy Janpath road, which is near the institute. In the process, a number of major and minor accidents often take place at the spot. To curb road mishaps, the authorities have constructed four speed breakers here.

"A number of book stores, hotels and hostels are located on either side of the road. We have to cross it every day. Accidents are a frequent affair here because of speeding vehicles. The speed breakers are also of no use," said Sangita Panda, a student.

However, the pelican crossing system will come as a major relief for the students and others crossing Janpath at this particular place. "We did stage demonstrations and demanded immediate measures to ensure safe crossing of the road. We hope that the pelican system will prove beneficial for us. But for that, vehicles, too, should follow the norms," said Sushree Ankita, another student.

The system will be a part of the modern traffic signalling system of the smart city mission. The plan is to have 13 more such pelican crossings at important places across the city.

These places include road near BJB College, Ice Factory Road, VITS, Ashok Nagar Bus Stop, south and north of Master Canteen Squaren, road near Unit IX, Keshari bus stop, Press Club road, East Coast Railway office, KIIT, Satabdi bus stop and the Steward School.

A senior official said all the 14 pelican points would be installed at the identified places in the next four months. "We have installed modern traffic signals at 13 junctions. Work is under progress for the other 45 junctions. Blinkers will also be installed at five places," said the official.