City's signals turn into suntraps

Raj Patil

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

Under a sun that shows no mercy, the people of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar are being slowly scorched not just by the sky, but by the red lights that hold them hostage beneath it.

The city recorded its highest temperature in three years on April 26, as the mercury touched 43.4°C, marking the day as ‘Hot Sunday’. Two-wheeler commuters, from college students to businessmen, have been bearing the brunt of the relentless heat. Many residents have told Lokmat Times that riding through the city during peak afternoon hours has felt unbearable. Citizens have demanded that traffic signals at key intersections Cidco, Kranti Chowk, Akashwani Chowk and Seven Hills, API chowk be switched off between 12 noon and 4 pm to reduce waiting time under the scorching sun. The Meteorological Department has warned that high temperatures like 45°C to 55°C will have persisted from April 29 to May 12, with a further rise likely. Komal Pawar, a bank employee who commutes daily through Seven Hills Chowk, said, “Every afternoon, it has felt like the sun has been pounding on my head. Standing at long red lights has left me breathless. A little relief would have meant everything.” Residents have urged authorities to act swiftly.

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Signal heat stress

Afternoon heat and long signal cycles are increasing commuter hardship. Red light timings: Seven Hills -146 sec, Adalat Road - 62 sec, Cidco - 170 sec, Akashwani chowk - 120 sec, leading to repeated halts and heat exposure

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Burning under red lights

“I have run my gold shop in Osmanpura and have travelled daily from Seven Hills to Akashwani Chowk. Around noon, when the sun has felt like fire overhead, standing at three back-to-back signals has been unbearable. Akashwani has stopped us for nearly 1.5 minutes, Seven Hills over a minute, and Kranti Chowk almost three. Many elderly commuters have silently endured this. The heat has drained breath and strength,” he said, speaking to Lokmat Times.

-Rohit Suryanvashi (65, businessman)

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Afternoon signal relief

“I have travelled daily from Cidco to Shendra MIDC for work. In the afternoon, the 2–3 minute signal halt has become unbearable in the scorching heat. Police should have considered keeping signals off between 12 pm and 4 pm so common commuters could have been spared this daily ordeal.”

- Anil Mangate (an employee in Shendra MIDC)

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Balance safety, not shutdown

“I have crossed Seven Hills Chowk daily, and the afternoon heat has been unbearable. Standing nearly three minutes at the signal has drained all my energy. But switching it off could have led to chaos and accidents. Instead, the signal time should have been reduced so we could have stayed safe without suffering.”

- Siddiqui Daniya, a college student.

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Signal stress

“We have issued instructions to all constables that during heavy traffic hours, the signal must have remained operational. However, due to the scorching heat, there have been brief periods when the signal has been kept open. We have taken note of the issue and corrective measures will have been implemented.”

- ACP Subash Bhujang, Traffic Branch