Coimbatore residents are expressing frustration as city police reintroduce automated traffic signals on Avinashi Road, a measure that previously failed to ease congestion. The trial, running from June 13 to 17 at ESSO Bunk Junction and Pioneer Mill Junction, aims to study signal performance and traffic density, but has instead caused severe gridlock.
Traffic Chaos on Avinashi Road
The reinstalled signals have led to long traffic jams, particularly on the Nava India stretch. Commuters report slow-moving, bumper-to-bumper queues during evening peak hours, causing significant delays. Many argue that the signals worsen bottlenecks instead of improving safety or traffic flow.
Public Outcry and Demands
The move has not gone down well with the public, who want police to stop the trial and remove the signals permanently. This is not the first time a signal plan on Avinashi Road has faced backlash; a similar system was implemented on March 10 but removed within a day due to heavy congestion.
Police Justification
A senior police officer explained that a traffic signal near Bharati Colony was removed earlier for a U-turn system. After its removal, locals petitioned officials, saying they had to travel nearly one kilometer to make a turn. The new signals are a trial response to those grievances.
City Police Commissioner N Kannan stated that traffic from Bharati Colony Road and Pioneer Mills Road is high, and vehicles entering Avinashi Road often move to the extreme right to take U-turns, leading to accidents and slowdowns. He is monitoring the trial personally and will assess the system for commuter convenience.
Previous Failures
On March 10, police implemented a similar signal system after pressure from politicians, businesspeople, and residents, but it was removed within a day due to heavy congestion. Civic activists and members of the public now demand immediate and permanent removal of the signals.
Conclusion
The trial has disrupted daily travel for office-goers, students, and other commuters. Residents hope the police will consider their concerns and find a permanent solution to the city's traffic woes.
