Thiruvananthapuram: Administrative delays in renewing the annual maintenance contract (AMC) for traffic signals are adding to congestion woes at several major junctions in the city, as malfunctioning systems disrupt traffic flow and force police personnel to manually regulate vehicle movement during peak hours.Sources in Keltron, the state-run agency responsible for maintaining traffic signal infrastructure, said the AMC expired in 2023 and hasn’t been renewed since, affecting routine servicing, battery replacement, repairs and upkeep of solar-powered units.“Keltron was entrusted with the AMC until 2022. After the contract expired, we submitted a fresh proposal to Kerala Road Safety Authority (KRSA). We were later informed that motor vehicles department would handle the renewal process. However, no further action has been taken so far,” said a Keltron official.KRSA officials said the issue was brought to state govt’s attention and a decision on renewing the AMC was awaited.Commuters passing through major junctions like Pettah, Kowdiar, Chackai, Nalumukku, Uppidamoodu, Edappazhinji and Kazhakkoottam say defective traffic signals have become a frequent occurrence, resulting in long queues, delays and confusion among motorists. While some signals are operating with depleted batteries or only partially illuminated displays, others require immediate repairs. Motorists say non-functional red lights and dim signal displays not only cause uncertainty but also heighten the risk of accidents.Reshmi G, who runs an online baking business near Uppidamoodu, said traffic congestion at the junction is a frequent problem. “I regularly travel through Uppidamoodu to procure raw materials and deliver products to customers. The signal often fails to function properly and vehicles queue up quickly, especially during evening rush. A police officer usually arrives to manage traffic manually, but by then vehicles have queued up. It is difficult for everyone on the road, and I often wonder how ambulances manage to navigate through such congestion,” she said.Anjali Mohan, an employee at a homeopathy pharmacy in Thycaud, said commuters face similar difficulties at Pettah and Kowdiar. “I travel through these junctions for work. Vehicles remain stranded for long periods during peak hours, and even short trips take much longer than expected. Combined with the heat and humidity, the delays leave commuters exhausted even before they reach their workplaces,” she said.Around Rs 3 crore is required annually to maintain nearly 240 signal towers across the state, sources said. Officials said funds are not the primary constraint, but maintenance work cannot be undertaken without a valid contract and administrative approval.
