Check the feasibility of blue traffic lights: HC to Maha pollution board

MUMBAI: The Bombay high court (HC) and the environment department have directed the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) to check the feasibility of “blue traffic light” at signals to indicate to drivers to turn off their engines in a bid to reduce air pollution.

The concept of the blue traffic light was suggested by Ghatkopar residents Shivani Khot, 20, and her sister, Esha, 15 in 2018 that won the National level gold medal at the National level All India Universities Anveshan Research Convention 2018 representing Mumbai Univeristy, and the idea was also selected in the top 20 projects of the International Sustainability Challenge of Indian Institute of Technologybombay’s Techfest last year.

According to the idea, an additional blue light should blink for 10 seconds after the red light comes on, and blink again for 10 seconds before the light turns green. The first blinking light would indicate to drivers to switch off their engines, and the second to turn the engines back on. HT reported about the idea on November 18, 2019. Over the past year, the sisters presented this concept to state and central agencies, before writing to Maharashtra government and the HC in December 2019, requesting a testrun for the concept.

The HC registrar last week (on Friday) asked the Maharashtra environment department to look into the application “appropriately in accordance with law”. The environment department on Wednesday further directed MPCB to study the concept and file a report. HT has reviewed the letters issued by the HC and the environment department.

“This can be implemented on a trial basis to record the drop in traffic emissions. The concept can be implemented at a cost of ~8,500 for each junction while the carbon savings will be more,” Shivani said on Wednesday.

“There is no major infrastructural change needed. The installation of a small bright blue blinking retrofitted light next to existing traffic signals,” Esha added.

“This is important concept and needs to be implemented. Vehicular idling is one of the highest emission sources from overall emissions coming from vehicles,” said Anumita Roy Chowdhury, executive director (research and advocacy), Centre for Science and Environment.

MPCB said it has written to the transport department to understand the concept’s impact. “We have not heard from them yet,” said Sudhir Srivastava, chairman, MPCB.