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.”