A little rain and New Delhi's traffic lights go on the blink

A total of 123 signals went out on Saturday when the Capital received a record 123.4mm of rain, causing traffic jams on several arterial roads in south and central Delhi.

For every millimetre of rain the Capital receives, it seems, there is a traffic signal that goes kaput.

HT Image

A total of 123 signals went out on Saturday when the Capital received a record 123.4mm of rain, causing traffic jams on several arterial roads in south and central Delhi.

The recurring problem of signals that stop working with just a small amount of rain had prompted the traffic police to change the signal operator last year. But the issue persisted, leading them to realise that the trouble was with the signal posts. They are now in the process of replacing them with advanced ones.

“These signal posts have become very old and need to be changed. We have already replaced around 100 old ones on C-Hexagon and in Dwarka,” said Anil Shukla, additional commissioner of police (traffic). Some of the posts on NH8 and NH24 also need to be replaced, the police said.

The traffic police are also in the process of erecting 45 signals and 30 blinkers at new locations.