Traffic signals at SP College Chowk were not working on Friday
Manisha Shekatkar, head of PMC’s electrical department, said as many as 3,468 electricity connections have been obtained from MSEDCL for the city’s streetlights, traffic control systems (signals), as well as schools, hospitals, parks, etc. “On Oct 8, the power supply to streetlights and traffic control systems was interrupted. As per civic officials, civic areas, including the newly merged 32 areas, have over 1 lakh streetlights. The civic areas have around 400 traffic signals, out of which 30% source power from streetlights.
Pune: Nearly 50 signals across Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) area were yet to be restarted on Sunday, three days after they were shut down due to power disruption. After complaints from the traffic police department, a delegation of PMC officials went to the MSEDCL office and reported the incident.
They have approached Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL), and the process of restoration has started, according to PMC officials. It will take necessary steps for restoration,” said Pramod Unde, superintending engineer (Electrical). PMC approached MSEDCL for restoration,” she said. Asked about claims in a widely circulated social media post that PMC did not clear its electricity bills, leading to the disconnection of power supply, civic officials said those claims were false.
“We have given details to MSEDCL about the signals which are affected. Prepaid smart meters have been installed for these electricity connections. An estimated monthly advance electricity bill amount is paid by PMC. As per PMC and traffic police officials, the traffic signals were not functioning during the day, which led to major traffic disruption. PMC’s electrical department shoulders the responsibility of providing lights on roads in Pune city and carrying out their maintenance and repairs, as well as the installation and maintenance of traffic control lights at city intersections in coordination with the additional commissioner and traffic police.