Road safety, or the lack of it, has long been a concern for the civic authorities in India. Be it rash-driving or other traffic violations that amounts to loss of life more often than not, Indian roads are more prone to accidents and there are statistics that state so.
But fortunately, we haven’t given up and are learning on the go. In fact, I’m here to to tell you about an initiative that bids to strengthen the safety of pedestrian on busy roads.
According to Hindustan Times, Navi Mumbai’s civic body has deployed push buttons at traffic signals that will allow pedestrians to change the traffic signal to “pedestrian walk signs” and cross roads safely.
Reportedly, the pedestrian push buttons have been installed at the junction near D Mart and Swami Vivekanand Chowk in Kopar Khairane.
They have also been put up at Purushottam Khedkar chowk, Swami Samarth Chowk in Airoli and on Thane-Belapur road near Mukund company, near Bharat Bijlee and Rabale junction.
A standard which is already up and running in several other countries, has been debuted in India for the first time where finally people can stop speeding cars at a push of a button.
The aim in implementing this technology at the traffic junctions is to ensure that the roads near schools, hospitals get decongested at the time when there are more pedestrians waiting to cross the road. Especially, in Mumbai which is undoubtedly one of the busiest city of India with unbearable traffic jams for odd hours.
Municipal commissioner Ramaswamy N said,
“It will help reduce the hassles faced by the residents and also give a boost to our walkability project that is aimed at ensuring uninterrupted walking for the residents.”
The good news is locals and residents have also welcomed the move. And the initiative is sure to mark changes, provided people don’t misuse it. Kailash Shinde from Kopar Khairane said,
“The D Mart area is perennially a busy area and it is difficult for pedestrians to cross roads. The system will help areas which have schools. It is important that the residents use the facility responsibly and not play pranks.”
A project worth applauding, don’t you think? Hopefully, we will see more of these buttons stationed in other parts of Mumbai and all of India soon.