BHOPAL: A traffic signal in Bhopal has lost its bearings. 'Thamba (stop, in Marathi)', it tells Bhopali motorists, and when you look up, it cheerfully adds 'Welcome to Thane Municipal Corporation' in a 30-second loop.
It may seem like an unintended dose of hilarity, but what takes the fun out of it is that the faux pas has gone unnoticed or unrectified for almost a month. This traffic sign is at the intersection of the newly inaugurated rail-overbridge (RoB) at Subhash Nagar. CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan had opened the RoB on Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose's 125 birth anniversary on February 23, but the signal was set up well before that.
The RoB connects Old City (Subhash Nagar) with new (MP Nagar), but the signal bridges a 750km divide between Bhopal and Thane.
Signal at Subhash Nagar RoB installed as per rules: BMC
Preparations for the RoB's inauguration included a week-long trial run, modifications and design improvements for swift movement of traffic. The 'Thane' loop-message went unnoticed
The MP public works department and railways built the overbridge. Bhopal Police is responsible for regulation of traffic and Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) for installation of street lights and traffic lights. No one from these agencies has yet done anything to fix the faux pas.
The welcome messages are in English and Marathi. When the traffic light is red, the scroll loop starts, with a name 'NTSC' in green.
Asked if the signal is a refurbished one instead of brand-new-out-of-the-box, BMC denies this. The civic body is responsible for purchase and installation of traffic signals. "The traffic signal at Subhash Nagar RoB has been installed by BMC as per rules and regulations. We will get it checked," said BMC additional commissioner Chandra Pratap Gohal, who is in charge of the electrical wing.
Police are responsible for setting the duration, timer and area-specific modifications. "BMC electrical wing installs street lights and traffic signals are on the poles," said a BMC official by way of explanation. Bhopal Police additional DCP Sandeep Dixit said, "BMC has been intimated about the incorrect scroll. There is also a recommendation on time rotation, the red (wait) and green (go) signal cycle needs to be changed given the traffic density on the route is less (than anticipated)."
PWD executive engineer Javed Shakeel said, "PWD's role was limited to the design and construction of RoB." The RoB cost about Rs 30 crore and PWD chief engineer Sanjay Khande was on site for long durations ahead of the inauguration. tnn
