The city traffic police in Hyderabad have installed 31 pelican signals as part of the “Safe City Project” to help pedestrians cross the road safely. These signals have push button facilities and are located at hospitals, colleges/schools, and busy public places. Out of the proposed 43 signals, 31 have been installed and are currently functioning. Pedestrians are given a window of 15-20 seconds to cross the road while vehicular traffic on both sides comes to a halt. Each signal has two volunteers and one traffic cop to assist pedestrians and ensure the smooth functioning of the signals. The volunteers use a “STOP” hand sign board to stop vehicles. The signals and volunteers are monitored daily by Traffic SHOs and Sector SIs.
In addition to the pelican signals, the traffic police have also identified pedestrian islands at busy junctions and intersections. They have erected 71 pedestrian island sign boards to guide pedestrians. Banners and flexies have been put up near metro stations, encouraging citizens to use the 56 foot over bridges to cross the road. The traffic police will work with local officers to identify places where zebra crossings and stop lines need to be marked for the safety of pedestrians. They will address these issues with GHMC until the markings are laid.
To ensure clear footpaths and carriage ways, the traffic police have taken action against petty shops, materials, and vehicles parked in a way that obstructs pedestrian pathways. In 2023, they booked a number of cases including free left blocking, stop line violation, CP Act violations, wheel clamp cases, and obstructive parking.
The officials are urging pedestrians to avoid jaywalking and instead use the services of traffic cops at junctions and the newly introduced self-operated pelican signals to cross the road safely.
