ALLAHABAD: After Maha Kumbh, the 22 crossroads of the city are set to wear a new look, as officials of Allahabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) have decided to take up solar powered traffic signal system with the help of a Delhi-based firm under the public-private partnership (PPP ) model.

As part of its pilot project of 2012, solar panels, signal lights and other equipment were installed at four major crossings including Subhash crossing and Rana Pratap crossing but due to Kumbh preparations, the project could not be taken up.

The AMC has decided to focus on the project all over again and to get it going at the earliest. Once the panel and other equipment are available, the solar-power signals would be installed at other major crossings of the city too, R Vikram Singh municipal commissioner told TOI.

Last year, the solar-power traffic lights system was started phase-wise, after AMC gave a no-objection certificate (NOC) to a Delhi-based firm. In view of the fact that solar power traffic signals have been successful in Agra and Bareilly, traffic police authorities have been coordinating with AMC authorities to bring them to the city.

Indra Pal Singh traffic Inspector told TOI that solar panel rooms are already in place at major crossings and hopefully the lights would begin to work within three months.

Solar traffic lights are equipped with photovoltaic cells. A solar panel located on the top of the pole converts sunlight into electrical power. A solar charger regulates the voltage coming out of the solar panel. The regulated power obtained is used to charge a battery.

Lighting is produced by an array of extra bright LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) much brighter than regular bulbs. LEDs usually last for years and are very energy efficient. LEDs are small in size, but can produce a significant amount of light.

Under the project, the defunct traffic lights have already been removed and fresh system would be installed at major crossings. The officials have also sought public cooperation in the same regard.

S L Yadav legal advisor of AMC said, "The project would help conserve energy and ensure smooth vehicular movement as solar energy would be operating the traffic lights. While one electric traffic light costs between Rs 4 to 5 lakh, the solar signal costs around Rs 8 lakh. Solar power is an efficient alternative provided enough energy is stored."

NASHIK: The Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) has awarded Rs 40-lakh contract to construct part of the 8.5-km bicycle track along Nashik-Trimbakeshwar road. It is the first such track in the city.

The two-km long stretch includes a three-meter pathway with curb stones and footpath on one side. Technical advice has also been sought from the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP), an NGO appointed as technical advisor for sustainable and equitable transportation in the city.

The track will be completed in two phases. The first phase has been flagged off by the Satpur division. Executive engineer of the NMC's public works department, P B Chavan, said, "The entire stretch of 8.5 km comes under two divisions - Satpur and West. The Satpur division has floated the tender for its division which includes the two km stretch from Rathi junction to Victor Gasket square and has awarded the contract. The West division has yet to do so."

"The construction of the cycle track and the footpath will be possible only after asphalting the road. The contract for asphalting has already been awarded and the work order is under process. It may take around six months," informed an engineer of the NMC's public works department.

The proposed cycle track on Trimbak Road will be created from Hotel Rajdoot near Golf Club Ground to Rathi junction to Victor Gasket square. The project, a demand of many years by chairman of the Confederation of Real Estate Developers' Association of India (CREDAI), Nashik, Kiran Chavan, is expected to be completed in over a year's period.