Hey Pune, we’ve got some news for you regarding the city’s traffic situation! The ₹102 crore Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS) installed at 124 intersections under the Smart City initiative seems to be causing more harm than good.
Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar recently expressed concerns about the system’s fixed signal timings, which were implemented without a proper traffic study. In a letter to the Municipal Commissioner, he highlighted how the new system has actually worsened traffic congestion instead of improving it. Commuters and drivers are feeling the brunt of poorly planned signal operations, leading to increased stress on the roads.
In an effort to address the issue, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar ordered that the traffic management systems be transferred to the traffic police. However, despite this move, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has been unresponsive to requests for a comparative traffic study or analysis of the system’s efficiency.
During a joint meeting in August 2024, the police outlined key requirements for improving traffic management, including real-time data on traffic speed and signal timings, coordination with the police to optimize signal timings on major roads, and adjustments in signal offset timing to improve flow between intersections. Despite these requests, the PMC has failed to provide the necessary information, causing delays in optimizing the system.
With frustration mounting among citizens and authorities due to the lack of collaboration between the PMC and the police, urgent action is needed to make the ATMS effective and alleviate Pune’s traffic congestion. Let’s hope for a smoother ride ahead!
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