In a shocking flip, Pune Sensible Metropolis Growth Company Restricted (PSCDCL) has determined to proceed managing the ‘Adaptive Traffic Management System’ (ATMS) for the subsequent 5 years, reversing earlier plans handy over the undertaking to Pune Municipal Company (PMC). Now, PMC can pay upkeep prices to PSCDCL as per an settlement. The ATMS launched by PSCDCL with assist of PMC goals to scale back site visitors congestion in Pune by synchronizing site visitors indicators, making it a crucial part of town’s good infrastructure initiatives.
At the moment, the Sensible Metropolis initiative oversees ATMS. due scrapping good metropolis undertaking by Central authorities. the method of transferring the Sensible Metropolis undertaking to the PMC had commenced. (HT PHOTO)
The choice handy over duty for the system to the Sensible Metropolis Firm can be finalized within the upcoming assembly of its board of administrators as confirmed by Pune Municipal Company (PMC) Further Commissioner Prithviraj B. P.
At the moment, the Sensible Metropolis initiative oversees ATMS. due scrapping good metropolis undertaking by Central authorities. the method of transferring the Sensible Metropolis undertaking to the PMC had commenced. nonetheless, central authorities prolonged good metropolis undertaking. After that, Sensible Metropolis authorities have acknowledged that they may retain duty for managing the ATMS.
The Sensible Metropolis mission, a key undertaking of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s authorities, initially included Pune amongst a number of choose cities. Nonetheless, the central authorities determined to finish this mission by June 2023. Thereafter, the PSCDCL began writing letters to the PMC to take cost of assorted tasks. PMC has additionally initiated a course of to take cost of various good metropolis’s growth tasks together with ATMS. Nonetheless, the Central authorities made an announcement to increase the undertaking as much as March-2025. The Union Ministry of Housing and City Affairs made this announcement in July 2024.
Prithviraj B. P. Further Commissioner, PMC mentioned, “ Smart city has not handed over the ATMS project to PMC. We are only paying O & M charges to Smart city. We haven’t paid O&M charges yet. Before paying charges, we will take feedback from the Police department and we will check its functionality through study. At present. The Central government has extended the Smart city project up to March 2025.”
In 2018, PMC had accepted ₹102 crore for putting in an automated sign system at 125 intersections and ₹68.38 crore for upkeep after finishing the undertaking over the subsequent 5 years. The PSCDCL administration is liable for implementing the undertaking.
The system is designed to enhance site visitors circumstances by lowering journey time, growing common speeds, minimizing ready instances at site visitors indicators, and managing site visitors extra effectively, particularly throughout emergencies. The system additionally consists of the potential to prioritize inexperienced indicators for emergency autos resembling police vehicles, ambulances, fireplace vans, and BRT buses.. Within the first part, 125 intersections out of 261 throughout Pune can be linked to the ATMS, utilizing fashionable expertise to manage site visitors primarily based on real-time circumstances.
Furthermore, it was anticipated that the ATMS can be able to creating a knowledge platform to share real-time info with numerous authorities, enabling higher coordination and decision-making. Nonetheless, the system has confronted challenges, together with operational points, main the Pune Police to ship a letter to the PMC . The police have requested that no extra funds be disbursed to the involved firm till the ATMS is improved and its performance is ensured.
Because the Sensible Metropolis initiative nears its closure, questions have been raised about who would take over the upkeep and restore of the ATMS system. Sensible metropolis undertaking which is ready to finish by June 2023 was initially anticipated to be transferred to the Pune Site visitors Police. Nonetheless, the police division declined to take duty for the system, citing considerations over the operational challenges and the excessive value of upkeep. This led to the chance that the PMC was to tackle the duty.
In a flip of occasions, the Pune Sensible Metropolis Firm which had initially put in the ATMS beneath the Sensible Metropolis mission has now stepped ahead to handle the system for the subsequent 5 years. This determination ensures that the undertaking will stay beneath the Sensible Metropolis Firm’s management offering continuity in its operation and upkeep ( O&M)
The extension of the Sensible Metropolis undertaking till March 2025 by the Central Authorities has performed a key position on this growth. With the undertaking’s deadline prolonged, the Sensible Metropolis Firm will proceed to supervise and enhance the ATMS, guaranteeing it meets its targets in enhancing site visitors stream and lowering congestion in Pune.
Whereas the transfer has been welcomed as a step towards guaranteeing the sleek operation of the system, it additionally comes with expectations that the ATMS can be totally optimized and dependable. Residents of Pune are hopeful that the system will fulfil its promise of lowering site visitors woes and enhancing total street security.