ITCS installed in Dimapur to tackle rising air pollution

DIMAPUR— In an effort to combat the deteriorating air pollution in Dimapur, improvised traffic control system (ITCS) was launched at Holy Cross Junction and Nagarjan Police Point, two of the busiest junctions in the commercial hub, on Tuesday.

Commissioner of Police, Dimapur, Kevithuto Sophie, launched the ITCS at the Holy Cross junction, while Member Secretary of Nagaland Pollution Control Board (NPCB) and state nodal officer of NCAP, K Hukato Chishi, inaugurated the system at Nagarjan Police Point.

The ITCS is a system designed to manage and control traffic flow in an efficient and safe manner. It is a combination of various technologies, such as intelligent transportation systems, traffic management systems, and communication networks, all integrated to provide real-time monitoring and control of traffic.

The rationale behind the introduction of ITCS is to improve traffic flow, which would reduce the amount of pollution-causing gas that vehicles emit.

Launching the system under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) aimed at promoting better air quality and traffic management, the CP lauded the efforts of the NPCB, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Government of Nagaland for introducing the concept in the city.

He explained that selection of the two locations was based on their significance as major junctions in Dimapur, which witness high volumes of vehicular movement for 15–16 hours daily.

Sophie mentioned that the Dimapur traffic police department was chosen as one of the six implementing agencies of NCAP.

The commissioner said that the initiation of the system, which will be manually operated by traffic personnel, marks a modest beginning as a model concept.

He further revealed that the success of this concept would lead to its expansion to other traffic points as well.

Eventually, he said, the vision is to transform it into an intelligent traffic control system, where a centralised control room will monitor the entire city’s traffic through CCTV surveillance.

Furthermore, he informed that the system is equipped with a battery backup that can sustain operations for up to eight hours in the event of a power shutdown. He added that the traffic lights used in the system are LED lights, ensuring minimal electricity consumption.

While acknowledging that there may be an adjustment period for commuters to get used to the new system, Sophie requested the citizens to pay attention to the traffic lights and strictly abide by the signals, as the success of this system largely depends on the cooperation and compliance of the commuters.

K Hukato Chishi said that the objective of the NCAP initiative is to enhance the air quality in Dimapur and Kohima.

Chishi emphasised that achieving the goal of improving air quality is not confined to a specific department, and to successfully accomplish this objective, multiple departments need to join hands and collaborate, and only through such collective efforts can they effectively accomplish the goal.

He revealed that the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has established a standardised air quality benchmark, and both Dimapur and Kohima districts have not yet met the standards.