Road woes for Islampur - Signals, CCTV cameras defunct for over six months

 defunct traffic signal and a CCTV camera attached to a pole in Islampur
on NH31. Pictures by Mehedi Hedaytullah

TT, Islampur, May 13: The electronic signalling system and CCTV cameras installed at prominent locations across town have been lying defunct for over six months leading to traffic snarls and lapse in vigilance.

In 2013, Rs 1.5 crore had been spent by the north Bengal development department to install the signaling system at eight places and CCTV cameras, along with streetlights, were set up at nine locations.

"Road accidents are frequent here and considering the geographical location, CCTV cameras are necessary to help police and other law enforcing agencies monitor movement of vehicles and people so that security breach can be averted," Manobrata Sarkar, the convener of Islampur Nagarik Suraksha Mancha, an apolitical organisation, said. "It is disappointing that although CCTV cameras and the signaling system have not been working for the past six months, no steps have been taken."

The signalling system and the cameras started mal-functioning from end of last year.

Traffic congestion and accidents are common on the 5km-stretch of NH31 which cuts through the town. Also, Islampur is located close to the "chicken's neck" area where the width of Indian territory is just 45km, with Nepal and Bangladesh on either side.

Islampur MLA Abdul Karim Chowdhury, who had played an important role in introducing the signaling system and setting up CCTV cameras, said: "Initially, the local civic body was entrusted with the responsibility to monitor the cameras. But later, Islampur police station was given the task. It is disappointing that both the signals and cameras are not working. Once the poll process is over, I will speak to the administration and the police to see that repairs are done."

For the past six months, civic volunteers have been managing traffic in the town.

Some of the locations where the signaling system and CCTV cameras were installed are Milanpally, Ismail Chowk and Tinpool - all on NH31.

Administrative sources said the north Bengal development department has been informed about the problem. "But nothing has been done."

Vibhu Goyal, the subdivisional officer of Islampur, said: "We will take steps to see that the repairs are done soon."