Automatic traffic signals are back at Palpannai junction

Teams of traffic police personnel continue to monitor vehicular movements at the intersection

 After a long gap, automatic traffic signals have begun functioning at the busy Palpannai Junction at Ariyamangalam in the city to regulate vehicular movements coming from different directions. The signals were undergoing trials for the past two days even as traffic police teams in shifts continue to monitor vehicular movements by giving instructions using a microphone, said a senior traffic police officer.

The Palpannai junction is one among the important and busiest traffic intersections in the city where Tiruchi-bound vehicles from Thanjavur side and those proceeding towards it; those coming from Chennai and proceeding towards Tiruchi, Thanjavur and down south; those proceeding towards Chennai from Tiruchi pass through it all through the day and night. The junction witnesses heavy movement of passenger and freight vehicles besides a large number of two-wheelers especially during peak hours in the morning and evening.

The signals at this junction remained non-functional for long prompting the traffic police to deploy teams in shifts to regulate vehicular movements manually using a microphone by positioning themselves beneath the over bridge.

The officer said automatic traffic signals had begun functioning but traffic police personnel continued to be deployed at this junction to ensure that motorists do not violate the signals. Plans were now afoot to install timers at the traffic signals, the officer added.