Mysuru: Amid public scrutiny over the wasteful investment in 50 new traffic signals, many of which are now switched off following public uproar, it has now been confirmed that these traffic signals were installed without public consultation, pedestrian count study, engineering survey or feasibility study.Activists alleged that Rs 8.2 crore was spent on these signals, and have sought accountability for the same. Among the 50 newly installed traffic signals in the city, many are now shutdown. The activists pointed out that the new signals only add to the traffic chaos instead of easing it.According to advocate AM Bhaskar, who sought details about the new signals installed in the city under the RTI Act, police informed that the proposal to install 50 signals across the city was mooted in 2024. This means an average of Rs 16.5 lakh taxpayers’ money was spent on these signals, he stated.“I have written a letter to the home minister seeking his intervention in connection with the new traffic signal installation in the city,” he said.According to Bhaskar, “Many scientific studies must be carried out before installation of the new signals. But most of these studies were not carried out. This is confirmed as per the information shared by the police in my RTI application.”Activist Malavika Gubbivani said the controversy surrounding new traffic signals is an example of how our system is currently functioning. There is no accountability for the taxpayers’ hard-earned money. They should be held accountable and the public must be informed who approved these installations on what scientific basis,” she said.
