Soon, Ludhiana to get smart traffic lights!

The initiative to install intelligent traffic control systems at 42 crossroads in Ludhiana in Punjab, which has remained dormant for a number of years, has gained momentum as the local authority prepares to issue tenders for the project in a week. As per the municipal corporation officials, a technical committee has also been formed to come up with suggestions and guidelines to implement the project which is being taken up at a cost of Rs 9 crore. The project was approved by the MC's Finance and Contract Committee (F&CC) in January of this year as a solution to the city's growing traffic issue. The project has been pending for more than seven years. The duration of the traffic signals is modified by the adaptive traffic control system according to the volume of traffic. The integrated command control centre at the Zone D office of the municipal corporation will be used to monitor the traffic signals. The 42 proposed traffic intersections include the traffic points which currently see massive traffic jams due to ongoing construction for various projects - Bharat Nagar Chowk, deputy commissioner's office, Bhai Bala Chowk, ESI Hospital and Dugri Urban Estate Phase -1. Along with smart traffic lights, as many as 250 CCTV cameras will be installed to keep a check on traffic violators and maintain surveillance. An MC official said that the cameras will be based on radar and will be effective even during foggy weather.