Valley to get new integrated traffic light system at 55 places

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Feb. 11: The Department of Roads (DoR) is soon going to install new integrated traffic light system (ITCS) at 55 places in the Kathmandu Valley where traffic is high.

Arjun Jung Thapa, Director General of the Department, said that foreign experts had been invited for discussions to install new types of traffic lights at 50 to 55 intersections of the Capital.

According to him, the Department has already evaluated and prepared a design for the purpose.

The currently installed system and technology in the traffic light of Kathmandu is not available in the market at the moment, so it is necessary to install new ones, the Department said. 

DG Thapa said that recently, there was a problem with the presently installed traffic lights in about 10 places and when the necessary materials for repairs were not available, other suitable materials were installed to resume the existing lights.

Currently, all the traffic light systems installed in the Valley operate under isolated control system which has its main control mechanism at Maitighar Square. So, the DoR is now in preparations to replace the old system with new integrated traffic light system, said DG Thapa. 

Director General Thapa said that since new systems are introduced in the international market in every five to 10 years, the Department also needs to keep up with the times. 

Traffic lights have been installed in 56 intersections of the Valley, with the municipalities and ward offices installing lights based on their needs. 

In the current fiscal year, lights have been installed in Kalanki, Balkhu, Sanepa, Dhobighat, Mahalakshmisthan, Chapagaun-dobato and Satdobato. 

Outside the Valley, only a few cities have traffic lights.