Team Herald
PANJIM: While commuters and Santa Cruz residents have raised concern over removal of pole on which traffic signal was installed near Niyaz, the Traffic Department has informed that electric current passing through the pole was posing danger to the public as a result of which it is sent for repairs.
The pole located on one side of the National Highway lane was removed by the PWD authorities last Wednesday after the traffic personnel on duty complained of current passing through the pole.
An official said that the pole installed by the PWD and recently relocated within a distance of few metres owing to the ongoing road widening work. With electricity issue of the main pole, the traffic signal on the other side of the highway has also been switched off until repairs are done.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (Traffic) Dharmesh Angle said the decision was taken to avoid possible casualty due to electrocution.
“The traffic signal was installed by the PWD and it has been doing a regulatory job. Last Wednesday, the main pole had a problem of electric current leak and the personnel on duty informed us. We got the pole removed immediately to ensure people’s safety,” he informed Herald.
“The technicians are working on it to repair the pole. We are also consistently pursuing with the PWD and the technicians to ensure immediate repair and reinstallation of the signal lights,” he added conceding that he has been receiving raining enquiries about the absence of the traffic signal at the junction.
The department has been deputing its personnel to man the traffic during the peak hours. However, the residents demand that they get traffic police round the clock to control the traffic.
Santa Cruz MLA Tony Fernandes said he has been pursuing the matter with the Traffic Department, which has assured him to resolve the issue by next week. Similarly, the traffic signal at Chinchwada, Chimbel that saw fatal accidents in the recent past, will be installed within eight days.
