In a move aimed at easing the discomfort of motorists during the harsh summer afternoons, Nashik City Police have decided to switch off certain traffic signals between 1 pm and 4 pm. The decision comes as the city continues to reel under high temperatures, with the mercury soaring above 40°C in recent days.
The traffic department has asked senior officers from all four traffic divisions in the city to identify signals that remain relatively free of traffic during the afternoon hours. These selected signals will be shut down temporarily to prevent motorists—especially two-wheeler riders—from being forced to wait under the scorching sun at empty junctions.
There are 58 traffic signals across Nashik. Around 10 are already non-functional or operating on blinker mode. At least half of the signals can be safely turned off during low-traffic hours without affecting traffic flow or safety.
The busy junctions such as CBS, Old Gangapur Naka, Modak Signal, ABB Signal, Jehan Circle, Gadkari Signal, and Kathe Galli will remain operational throughout the day due to consistently high traffic volumes.
Many residents, especially two-wheeler riders, welcomed the decision. Several said halting at signals in extreme heat is exhausting, especially when there's little or no traffic. In the absence of traffic police at some junctions, many motorists end up ignoring signals altogether, making the proposed measure practical and timely.
With daytime temperatures still hovering between 35°C and 38°C after a slight drop, this step by the city police is expected to bring much-needed relief to daily commuters during peak summer.