Vehicles crawl at Court Circle
Dharwad: The Hubballi-Dharwad police commissionerate plans to install AI-based smart traffic signals at 14 locations for an estimated Rs 5 crore, and residents want the long-pending, unsafe crossings at Dharwad Court Circle and Toll Naka Circle included in the first phase. 11 accident-prone spots identified A report by Switzerland-based HESS LighTram, prepared under an agreement with the state govt, has identified 11 accident-prone locations along the BRTS corridor. Around 90,000 people use BRTS buses daily, while nearly 1.4 lakh travel by private vehicles.
Residents expect the intelligent signals to improve traffic flow, cut unnecessary waiting and make crossings safer. Police commissioner Bhushan Borse has stressed the need for better traffic regulation to ease congestion and protect road users. Ensuring smooth traffic movement while prioritising pedestrian safety remains a major challenge for the Commissionerate. Dharwad Court Circle has only a blinking yellow signal. Installing a proper one may require closing the crossing near Dharwad Hotel, opposite the court, a proposal that has faced objections. Court Circle is particularly challenging. Vehicles travelling from the Old Bus Stand towards Malamaddi, the railway station, the Tahsildar’s office and the deputy commissioner’s office must negotiate traffic converging from six directions. Without regulated signals, confusion, speeding and violations are common. It also flagged inadequate parking and poorly designed signals. Poor signal coordination makes motorists wait unnecessarily, worsening congestion and frustration.