Udupi City Municipal Council and police actuate traffic signals at the busy Kalsanka junction

The Udupi district police, in association with the Udupi City Municipal Council (CMC), actuated traffic signals at the busy Kalsanka Junction in the city on November 29.

The move is expected to bring in traffic signals at the busy junction where vehicles from four directions — Udupi city, Kundapura, Manipal, and Sri Krishna Mutt — converge and move towards their respective destinations.

Inspecting the signals, Hariram Shankar, Superintendent of Police, said the move could bring noticeable improvement in traffic discipline at the busy point.

Those who regularly travel through the stretch observed that despite the presence of a limited number of police personnel for traffic management in the morning hours, vehicle movement remained smooth and orderly. The signals, they said, helped curb the reckless behaviour often exhibited by impatient drivers.

The CMC has set up new traffic signal systems at Kalsanka Junction and Syndicate Circle in Manipal at a total cost of ₹33 lakh. While the Kalsanka signals became operational on November 29, the ones at Syndicate Circle are expected to be actuated within the next two days, police said.

Mr. Shankar said the system would function more effectively once the free left turn provisions are streamlined. Minor issues may persist until the improvement measures are completed, he noted. During the inspection, police studied traffic flow from all directions and identified the need for further interventions.

The free left turn proposals involve constructing a bridge at the Junction to facilitate free left movement towards Ambagilu for vehicles from the City Bus Stand side. The CMC has already issued the work order. The current temporary arrangement, made using barricades, does not support the movement of heavy vehicles. The new bridge, which will replace the existing pedestrian access structure, is expected to be completed within two months.

Similarly, the free left provision from Ambagilu towards Manipal will be improved using traffic cones. At Syndicate Circle, the Superintendent of Police said challenges are minimal except for two advertisement structures blocking the free left that may need relocation.