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Time of India
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Trichy police install solar speed radars; activists demand stricter enforcement
Trichy: As part of road safety measures, Trichy district police have installed solar-powered speed radars at ten accident-prone spots on major highways. However, road safety activists have criticised the initiative, saying that simply displaying vehicle speed is ineffective without enforcement. The ten radar units, costing Rs 15 lakh, have been placed in eight rural areas including Lalgudi, Musiri, and Thuraiyur, covering both national and state highways. The devices, powered by solar panels with battery backup, display vehicle speed on LED boards as vehicles approach from 200–300 metres away. "Locations were selected based on accident risk and police presence. If patrol teams spot overspeeding, action can be taken," said a police officer, adding that the devices work round-the-clock, including at night using backup power. Highways covered include the Trichy-Thuraiyur state highway, Trichy-Dindigul, and Trichy-Namakkal national highways. While police say the radars will alert drivers to their speed and promote safer driving, activists are sceptical. "Speedometers already show speed. These gadgets should've been integrated with automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras for automated penalties, like in other states," said P Aiyarappan, a member of the district road safety council. Locals echoed the concern, arguing that mere warnings won't deter speeding. Police sources said the radars may be upgraded later to include warning messages based on speed level.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Accident hotspots on Trichy-Chennai NH get 57 new streetlights
Trichy: National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has installed 57 streetlights at five spots on Trichy-Chennai NH identified as accident-prone hotspots in suburbs of Trichy. The locations on a 4-km stretch were selected based on the suggestions from the district road safety council. NHAI said the new streetlights were set up at Koothur, Pallividai, Samayapuram, Panamangalam, and Palur on the highway where there was no streetlight. In Panamangalam, Pallividai, and Palur areas, people heading to work for Trichy had been crossing the NH amid speeding vehicles. A police constable who crossed the highway near Panamangalam was fatally knocked down by an unidentified vehicle in Feb. During the recent district road safety meeting, members apprised NHAI of the multiple dark stretches posing a threat for two-wheelers and pedestrians crossing the roads during odd hours. Subsequently, NHAI's Trichy project implementation unit (PIU) conducted a safety audit to identify vulnerable spots and installed streetlights. "The new streetlights are not yet connected to electricity. NHAI should expedite the process to illuminate the new lights," P Aiyarappan, a member of the road safety council, said. NHAI officials said that Tangedco Trichy has been approached to provide new electricity connections under non-commercial tariff to reduce the electricity expense. "We are following it up with Tangedco. Soon, the new streetlights will be illuminated," a NHAI official said. Meanwhile, locals welcomed the move to provide additional lights on the NH and added the need for more lights in other stretches. "New streetlights should also be installed between Mannarpuram and Panjapur Integrated Bus Terminus (IBT) on Trichy-Madurai NH. Despite being within the city, the highway remains dark," S R Kishorekumar, a Trichy-based advocate, said. NHAI said it would discuss with Trichy corporation to know whether it could sponsor the new lights in the stretch. Lighting up: Hotspot location Length No of lights Samayapuram 0.5 km 12 Koothur 0.5 km 11 Pallividai 1 km 12 Panamangalam 1 km 11 Palur 1 km 11 Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Brother's Day wishes , messages and quotes !
