Media Release
Udupi, Jan 22: Amid opposition from former MLA Raghupathi Bhat, City Municipal Council (CMC) president Prabhakar Poojary reiterated the municipal council’s commitment to installing traffic signals in Udupi city to ensure smooth traffic flow.
Prabhakar Poojary, said, “In order to control vehicular traffic in Udupi city and facilitate smooth movement, the CMC has already taken steps to install traffic signals in important parts of the city as per the guidelines of the police department and the municipal council is committed to installing signals in a scientific manner soon.”
Addressing concerns about the barricades at Kalsanka junction he said, “Regarding the problem caused to the locals due to the installation of barricades at the Kalsanka junction in Udupi city, MLA Yashpal Suvarna along with local leaders have already met the district collector and appealed to remove the barricades, and we have also informed the district superintendent of police.”
Prabhakar Poojary criticizing the current placement of traffic signal poles, said, “Already, traffic signal poles are being placed on the side of the road in a very unscientific manner, causing problems for pedestrians and vehicle traffic, and it seems that the traffic signal was made just for advertising. Signals have been installed only on the Udupi City Bus Stand and Manipal side roads at Kalsanka Junction, while signals have not been installed on Rajangana and Ambagilu Gundibail roads. The installation of huge traffic poles, disregarding road safety rules, has created an artificial barrier to vehicular traffic at various places including Triveni Circle and Diana Circle. The municipal council will also take action to remove these poles.”
Prabhakar Poojary citing poor track record of traffic signal maintenance in the city said, “Although traffic signals have been installed in the city many times in the past, they have not been used very effectively without proper maintenance and the project has not been fruitful, this time the municipal council has come forward to install signals in a scientific manner as per the guidelines of the police department.”