Mysuru: Motorists across the city have found several newly installed traffic signals switched off for the past few days, raising concerns over their usefulness and the money spent on them.Traffic police said 43 new signal lights were installed this year within city limits, bringing the total to 96. However, commuters said most of the newly installed signals are rarely operational.The decision to install traffic signals even at minor junctions had earlier drawn public criticism. At the time, the police department and district in-charge minister HC Mahadevappa justified the move, saying it would help streamline vehicular movement. With many of the new signals now lying switched off, citizens have questioned why they were installed in the first place and whether the expenditure running into crores was warranted.Residents said the issue is of growing significance as several parts of the city continue to struggle with basic infrastructure. “If signals are useful, why are they switched off?” motorists asked.Activist Ravi Keerthi Gowda, a resident of Dattagalli, alleged that city police delayed sharing information sought under the Right to Information (RTI) Act. “My friends and I filed an RTI with the city police seeking details on the cost per signal system and the scientific basis for shortlisting the circles. Even three months after filing the application, the police have not shared the details,” he alleged.“There should be accountability. Out of the 43 circles, signals were required at fewer than 10 places. The question is who took the decision and on what basis,” he said.Advocate AM Bhaskar, who also filed an RTI application with the city police, echoed the concerns. “It is a failure of the administration and a waste of taxpayers’ money,” he said.City police commissioner Seema Latkar did not respond.
