Smart traffic signals go blank; VIP movements, system glitches force commuters to hit brakes in Guwahati

Time of India

5 days ago

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Guwahati: Growing traffic congestion at key junctions across the city continues to frustrate commuters. Compounding the problem, according to many, is the non-functional integrated traffic management system (ITMS), which has led to daily chaos.
The automated traffic signals, introduced to streamline city traffic, have gone dark — forcing traffic police personnel to manually manage intersections.
The malfunctioning signals are particularly evident at Noonmati, Six Mile, and Paltan Bazar junctions. The Six Mile crossing — an important intersection connecting Chachal, Panjabari, and Khanapara — was meant to be managed automatically under ITMS. However, with the system defunct, vehicles frequently violate traffic rules, worsening congestion.
Prayas Kakati, chief project manager at Guwahati Smart City Limited (GSCL), said several ITMS signals have stopped working largely due to uncoordinated work by multiple govt . "The absence of proper coordination and prior consultation affects underground cables, which disrupt signal operations. A few signals were also taken down due to construction. We've identified the problems and are working on them," Kakati said.
He added that GSCL is collaborating with the city's traffic police to address the issue, as ITMS also struggles to manage the growing number of vehicles. The system often switches to blinker mode under heavy traffic pressure, prompting manual intervention by traffic personnel.
Residents are increasingly vocal in their concerns. "These systems haven't worked properly for months. On weekends, there's often no traffic police on duty. The government has spent crores of rupees on this project, but execution has been poor," said Prakrit Devnath, a Six Mile resident. Another commuter, Roopak Barua, said, "During VIP movements when ministers visit, ITMS is either turned off or overridden manually, causing further jams.
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The project, initiated with a budget of Rs 78.44 crore, includes 66 active ITMS signals. The tender was awarded to Technosys Security System Private Limited, a Ghaziabad-based company, for a five-year term.