Vizag police to implement dedicated traffic signal system for ambulances

The growing traffic in Vizag is certainly not facilitating the quick movement of ambulances, especially in a busy area. Even though most people genuinely give way to an ambulance, when sighted behind them, on the roads. However, traffic congestion does not allow smooth passage. This causes a delay in emergency cases, especially at busy areas like Daba Gardens, Poorna Market, Gopalapatnam, etc.

The Vizag traffic police plan to introduce a dedicated traffic signal system for the faster movement of ambulances. Presently, ambulances have to rely on the green channel, or manual operations at junctions, created by the traffic police.

In the case of organ transportation, the police officials are notified beforehand. The fastest route is then planned and given to the driver. Additionally, the green channel is executed along this route so that the ambulance can reach the accident spot as quickly as possible. But this is in a situation where time allows for things to be a little pre-planned.

As reported by The Hindu, the city police, the district administration and the district medical and health department are planning to bring all the ambulances of the city, including the private ones, under a ‘single umbrella’. These vehicles will be integrated with GPS chips and monitored by the Command Control Centre

(CCC). The move will ensure that ambulances are guided onto the fastest route and that the green channel is executed on these routes.  Speaking on this integrated plan, a police officer reportedly mentioned that when an ambulance with an activated chip would approach a traffic signal, it would automatically be shown with the green signal. Which means that accidents will be attended to in lesser time.

Notably, this proposal of the city police has been hanging since the last few years and still waiting to be implemented.