Ranchi: The traffic police have proposed installing traffic lights at 35 new intersections across the city to ensure smoother vehicular movement and reduce accidents. A detailed proposal has been submitted to the smart city project authorities.
Current Traffic Signal Infrastructure
Ranchi currently has traffic signals at 40 locations, of which 37 are functional. The need for additional signals has grown due to the city's rapid expansion and an increasing number of vehicles.
Official Statement
SP (traffic) Rakesh Singh said, “There are many areas in the city that now experience vehicle rush, and manual traffic management is becoming an issue. The installation of new traffic signals in these specific areas will not only smoothen vehicular flow but also prevent road accidents.”
Survey and Implementation Plan
Traffic police conducted an extensive survey of busy and accident-prone intersections before preparing the proposal. Once approved, the signals will be installed in a structured, phased manner.
Accident Statistics
According to the ‘Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India Report 2024’ by NCRB, the city recorded 243 road accidents, which led to 113 fatalities and 153 injuries.
Key Locations Identified
Key locations identified for new traffic lights include the Kathitand intersection, a tri-section in Bariatu, and the Kantatoli roundabout. Kantatoli is a major bottleneck where a signal was removed during flyover construction. Singh added, “The Kantatoli intersection had a signal earlier, but it was removed during flyover construction, leading to congestion. Reinstalling a signal there will ease congestion.”
Expert Opinion
Rishabh Anand, founder of road safety organisation Rise Up, welcomed the move but called for fixing existing gaps. “An audit of the current traffic signals is essential. At several intersections, the signals are functional but the timers are not, creating chaos. The zebra crossings and stop lines also need to be properly maintained, as they have faded out completely at many spots,” he said. Anand also stressed the need for regular training for traffic guards.
