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

tional blue light should blink for 10 seconds after the red light comes on, and blink again for 10 MUMBAI: The Bombay high court seconds before the light turns (HC) and the environment green. The first blinking light department have directed the would indicate to drivers to Maharashtra Pollution Control switch off their engines, and the Board (MPCB) to check the feasisecond to turn the engines back bility of “blue traffic light” at sigon. HT reported about the idea on nals to indicate to drivers to turn November 18, 2019. Over the past off their engines in a bid to reduce year, the sisters presented this air pollution. concept to state and central agen

The concept of the blue traffic cies, before writing to Maharashlight was suggested by Ghatkotra government and the HC in par residents Shivani Khot, 20, December 2019, requesting a testand her sister, Esha, 15 in 2018 run for the concept. that won the National level gold The HC registrar last week (on medal at the National level All Friday) asked the Maharashtra India Universities Anveshan environment department to look Research Convention 2018 repreinto the application “approprisenting Mumbai Univeristy, and ately in accordance with law”. the idea was also selected in the The environment department on top 20 projects of the InternaWednesday further directed tional Sustainability Challenge of MPCB to study the concept and Indian Institute of Technologyfile a report. HT has reviewed the Bombay’s Techfest last year. letters issued by the HC and the

According to the idea, an addi- 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.