Chandigarh | June 15 – In a bid to bolster pedestrian safety and streamline road use, the Chandigarh Road Safety Committee has cleared the installation of pedestrian countdown timers at 45 high-traffic junctions across the city.
The green signal for this citywide initiative follows recommendations from the Chandigarh Traffic Police and a comprehensive review of existing gaps in road infrastructure. The timers will display the countdown for both red and green pedestrian signals, enabling people on foot or on bicycles to better judge crossing time and avoid last-minute dashes.
“Timer signals are not just about convenience; they’re critical for pedestrian safety and ensuring smoother traffic behaviour. This is a public safety priority,” said SSP (Traffic) Sumer Pratap Singh. “The proposal has received in-principle approval and will move to the tendering stage shortly.”
The project was initially assigned to M/s Sainico, with installation to begin at select pedestrian-heavy sites such as the Sector 22/23 U-turn point. However, with the contractor now seeking an extension, the administration has issued a formal notice for delay.
To move forward, the executive engineer (Electrical) of the UT Engineering Department has been tasked with preparing a detailed cost estimate and submitting an action-taken report (ATR) before the next review meeting. The ATR will help anchor the project timeline and trigger execution across all selected junctions.
The pedestrian safety initiative goes beyond timers. Acting on the Chandigarh Traffic Police’s latest survey, the administration is also set to introduce pedestrian-activated pelican signals at 12 locations flagged as vulnerable. These signals, which allow users to stop traffic at the push of a button, are designed to offer safer crossing windows.
In the first phase, the city will focus on 5–6 high-density areas. The UT chief engineer, in consultation with the traffic police, has been directed to finalise these locations and present findings in the next committee review.
Meanwhile, authorities will also replace defective traffic blinkers at 14 locations. These units, identified during a recent survey, have outlived their operational lifespan and are now considered a risk factor.
Sites earmarked for urgent replacement include Khuda Lahora Bridge, Dhanas Lake, and Industrial Area Phase 1 near Sanjay Colony T-Point.
With these combined measures, officials aim to curb pedestrian-related accidents and establish a more disciplined urban traffic environment.
