Nagpur Temp Above 40 deg C, Cops Tweak Traffic Signals

Nagpur: With the temperature soaring over 40 degrees Celsius, the city traffic police have activated a heat mitigation plan aimed at easing commuter discomfort during afternoon hours. As part of the initiative, 12 traffic signals — mostly in west and south-west Nagpur — were put on blinker mode between 1pm and 4pm to minimise the time motorists spent waiting for green light under the scorching sun.
Assistant commissioner of police (Traffic) Madhuri Baviskar said the department is implementing the heat action plan in coordination with the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) and NGOs. "We've started installing green shade nets at prominent squares. Also, we are considering switching more signals to blinker mode, especially in areas with low traffic volume," she said.
An official from NMC's traffic department said the civic body is planning to install green nets at signals with longer waiting times, such as Vidhan Bhavan Square among others. "Last summer, the civic body installed green nets at five junctions, but they failed to withstand the storms," the official pointed out. "So, this time, we would ensure that the green nets at squares are capable of withstanding extreme weather conditions," the official added.
The metro rail corridor and roads with flyovers have turned into unexpected shelters for two-wheeler riders. "Motorists travelling beneath these structures benefit from shade. However, stretches like Narendra Nagar to Wathoda and much of north Nagpur lack such infrastructure. We are preparing targeted measures for these routes too," Baviskar added.
The traffic department is also exploring options like deploying volunteers to assist with traffic movement in areas where signals are temporarily disabled.
Motorists told TOI that signal violations tend to spike in the afternoons as drivers try to avoid prolonged exposure to the sun. "People aren't waiting for red lights — they're jumping signals just to get out of the heat faster," said a traffic constable posted at a major intersection.
However, signals in four high-traffic zones — MIDC, Sakkardara, Lakadganj, and Kamptee — will remain fully operational due to heavy vehicle flow. The traffic department is monitoring the situation closely and plans to expand relief measures if high temperatures persist.