Walkers see red as Residency Road signals go on the blink

NT Bengaluru

Pedestrians on Residency Road face difficulties crossing the bustling traffic due to the malfunction of a pedestrian-controlled signal installed near IDC Café and Prestige Towers. According to locals, the signal is a big letdown as it was installed only a few months ago. The signal, which features a button to stop traffic for pedestrians, has stopped functioning. Pedestrians now either wait for a break in traffic or take a 400-metre detour to a nearby skywalk. According to the Bengaluru Traffic Police, rats may have damaged the underground cables.

The BBMP has been urged to address the issue. Pedestrian-controlled signals are found in countries like the US, Canada, and the UK. These signals feature a button that individuals or groups of pedestrians can press to turn the signal red for traffic, allowing them to cross the road. At present, however, the button does not turn the signal red for motorists or green for pedestrians, even after repeated pressing. Diganta Bali, a security guard stationed at a building near the signal, remarked that the button had become meaningless. “It has worked only a few times. Pedestrians who’ve tried to cross with this facility have no option but to cross the road with the traffic still moving,” he observed.

A techie in the area for an interview attempted to cross the road after pressing the button to stop traffic. To his disappointment, the signal remained red. “We have not advanced enough,” he quipped. Area police officers have “taken note of the issue”. Mahesh, a senior traffic officer, suspects that rodents may have damaged the underground cables.