Chennai’s solar signal upgrade praised, but safety and transport woes persist: what’s next?

Chennai’s recent upgrade to solar-powered traffic signals has drawn praise for its environmental benefits, but commuters continue to face challenges due to malfunctioning timers and safety concerns.

Several traffic signals along Jawaharlal Nehru Road near Vadapalani flyover and key junctions like Dr Ambedkar Road currently operate without active countdown timers, leaving motorists uncertain and stranded in the heat.

“We’ve issued a work order to L&T to fully revamp the city’s signal system in the next two to three months,” officials confirmed, acknowledging that some units are not working properly but promising full replacement soon.

The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) has proposed comprehensive improvements at three major junctions — Ambattur BSNL Junction, Kaiveli Junction, and Kamakshi Hospital Junction — as part of the Tamil Nadu government’s 2024-2025 budget session.

The project includes solar-powered traffic signals, solar street lights, centre line realignment, lane balancing, fresh road markings, and junction geometry correction, all aimed at eliminating bottlenecks and improving traffic flow efficiency.

“Each junction is expected to be upgraded within three months from the date the site is handed over to the contractor,” the plan states.

However, critics caution that while the solar signal upgrade is a positive step, deeper systemic issues remain unresolved, including pedestrian safety, public transport prioritisation, and illegal encroachments.

“While solar signals are welcome, deeper systemic issues — pedestrian safety, public transport prioritisation, and illegal encroachments — still need urgent attention,” they argue.

As Chennai moves forward with its solar signal upgrade, addressing these broader transport and safety challenges will be crucial to ensuring a truly efficient and safe urban mobility environment.

Chennai’s upgrade to solar-powered traffic signals has been praised, but commuters face ongoing issues with non-functional timers and safety concerns. The city plans a full revamp of signals and infrastructure improvements at key junctions, aiming to complete upgrades within three months amid calls for broader transport reforms.