Bhubaneswar: Fifty out of the chosen 58 junctions in the city have been equipped with the modern traffic signalling system, enabling commuters to get better traffic and transit management services.

The system works according to the real-time traffic data and its volume and facilitates the commuters. At present, the new system is working with the help of a temporary command-control centre at Bhavani Mall.

Bhubaneswar Smart City Limited, the special purpose vehicle executing the smart city projects here, had started installation of the adaptive traffic signal control solution in April last year and decided to introduce it at 58 junctions.

"The executor gets a deadline of a year to complete the installation, which will end in April. Already 50 junctions have got the new system, while the rest eight will get placed before the deadline. The new system has lessen the burden on the traffic police to much extent," said Bhubaneswar mayor Ananta Narayan Jena.

Among the junctions, where the new traffic lights are already working, are DAV Public School Square, Jagamara Square, Kalinga Studio Square, Stewart School Square and OUAT Square.

The authorities have also installed the new lights at various junctions on the National Highway No. 5, which runs through the city.

"The junctions on the highway are always tricky. I could see a number of traffic personnel manning vehicles on the junctions. However, the new traffic lights have indeed come to their as well as our rescue. Now, it is to see whether commuters follow the rules in spirit," said Acharya Vihar resident Bhagwan Dash.