Traffic police are planning to introduce seven more pelican crossings in various parts of the City, even as an earlier attempt to implement them has come a cropper.
Pelican crossings, designed to give pedestrians minor control over traffic lights, were introduced in the City in 2008. However, their effectiveness has been nullified by the commuter culture in Bangalore.
A pelican crossing consists of a special switch mounted on a traffic light pole, which enables pedestrians to request red light in order to stop traffic, allowing them to cross the street. There are currently 53 pelican crossings in the City. While the facility was received with much enthusiasm initially, traffic police revealed that the crossings began to pose a unique law enforcement challenge in later years.
“More than being used, the pelican crossings were only abused,” a police official said.
He recounted that his men were tired of replacing the switches, most of which were vandalised. The police came up with a solution — all the pelican crossings were automated, thus negating the purpose of the signals.
According to B DayanandBangalore: Traffic police are planning to introduce seven more pelican crossings in various parts of the City, even as an earlier attempt to implement them has come a cropper.
Pelican crossings, designed to give pedestrians minor control over traffic lights, were introduced in the City in 2008. However, their effectiveness has been nullified by the commuter culture in Bangalore.
A pelican crossing consists of a special switch mounted on a traffic light pole, which enables pedestrians to request red light in order to stop traffic, allowing them to cross the street. There are currently 53 pelican crossings in the City. While the facility was received with much enthusiasm initially, traffic police revealed that the crossings began to pose a unique law enforcement challenge in later years.
“More than being used, the pelican crossings were only abused,” a police official said.
He recounted that his men were tired of replacing the switches, most of which were vandalised. The police came up with a solution — all the pelican crossings were automated, thus negating the purpose of the signals.
According to B Dayananda, Additional Commissioner (Traffic and Security), however, the police are once again eager to try pelican crossings.
Dayananda explained that they have proposed the introduction of seven new pelican crossings in the City. Of these, four will be set up in the West division — Attiguppe Junction, BDA Complex Junction, Banashankari, BEL School Junction at Jalahalli, Narayanapura Cross, Chikkajala and three in the East — Mantri Mall Junction, Malleswaram, Kammanahalli Junction and Kadubeesanahalli Junction on the Outer Ring Road.
According to a senior official, policemen will posted at each pelican crossing to ensure that pedestrians follow the rules. The police presence will diminish gradually, by the time the pedestrians realise the value of pelican crossings.
The only two places where pelican crossings seem to be working as intended are at Guttahalli junction and at Mekhri Circle — both locations manned by traffic police.
DH News Servicea, Additional Commissioner (Traffic and Security), however, the police are once again eager to try pelican crossings.
Dayananda explained that they have proposed the introduction of seven new pelican crossings in the City. Of these, four will be set up in the West division — Attiguppe Junction, BDA Complex Junction, Banashankari, BEL School Junction at Jalahalli, Narayanapura Cross, Chikkajala and three in the East — Mantri Mall Junction, Malleswaram, Kammanahalli Junction and Kadubeesanahalli Junction on the Outer Ring Road.
According to a senior official, policemen will posted at each pelican crossing to ensure that pedestrians follow the rules. The police presence will diminish gradually, by the time the pedestrians realise the value of pelican crossings.
The only two places where pelican crossings seem to be working as intended are at Guttahalli junction and at Mekhri Circle — both locations manned by traffic police.
DH News Service