Ahmedabad: As the city experiences rising temperatures with mercury levels exceeding 40 degrees Celsius, drivers will find some relief from the afternoon heat. A total of 252 traffic signals across the city will be closed from 1 PM to 4 PM, eliminating the need for drivers to stop at these intersections during the hottest hours of the day.
The decision to close traffic signals in the afternoon was made in anticipation of a meeting scheduled for April 19 between Municipal Corporation officials and traffic police. The aim of the meeting is to discuss traffic management strategies in response to the sweltering heat.
Currently, there are 252 four-way, five-way, and circular intersections in the city equipped with traffic signals. The proposed closure would affect all traffic signals for a three-hour period, from 1 PM to 4 PM. However, for 25 to 30 high-traffic signals that experience heavy traffic throughout the day, the waiting time will be reduced by 50% instead of a complete shutdown. Consequently, a signal with a 1-minute waiting time will be reduced to 30 seconds, and a signal with a 2-minute waiting time will be cut down to 60 seconds.
This measure aims to provide relief to drivers during the hottest part of the day and facilitate smoother traffic flow across the city.
