Speaker urges LG Sandhu to install audio traffic signals to help vulnerable pedestrians
Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta has urged Lt Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu to install audio traffic signals to help vulnerable pedestrians like senior citizens and persons with disabilities.
In a letter dated March 16, Gupta expressed concern over the daily challenges faced by vulnerable pedestrians and cited visibility issues faced by a large number of people in the city.
Citing alarming data from the Dr Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences at AIIMS, Gupta highlighted that nearly 60 lakh people in Delhi suffer from various vision impairments. With an estimated 12 to 18 lakh people living with significant low vision, many of whom are senior citizens, the Speaker emphasised that current traffic systems are inadequate for those who cannot rely on visual cues. The letter stresses that the lack of accessible crossing aids poses a constant risk of accidents and limits the mobility of a vast section of the population.
The Speaker pointed toward successful international models where sound-based cues, such as beeps or ticking tones, are standard features at intersections.
He noted that countries like Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, Hong Kong, Singapore, France, Sweden, Brazil, and Australia have successfully integrated these systems to improve pedestrian accessibility. Gupta specifically mentioned the use of “melodic” or bird-like sounds, as seen in Japan, which help pedestrians easily recognise when it is safe to cross, thereby creating a more empathetic and user-friendly urban environment.
The speaker underlined that the installation of audible signals at major traffic intersections is not just a technical upgrade but a necessity for human dignity and safety. By implementing these measures, Delhi can significantly reduce road accidents and move toward becoming a truly inclusive “smart city” that caters to all its residents regardless of their physical abilities. The Speaker has requested the LG to examine the proposal and expedite the implementation on a priority basis to transform Delhi’s roads into a safer space for every citizen.
Delhi Traffic Police conducted a survey in March 2024 in which the problem of traffic congestion was found in 134 locations/stretches, primarily due to ongoing construction works by various civic agencies, encroachment and heavy volume of traffic. These were shared with concerned agencies in March 2024 for taking up necessary remedial measures.
Besides this, Delhi Traffic Police also shared the lists of 128 bad-conditioned/potholed roads and 97 damaged/encroached footpaths with the respective civic agencies in October 2024 for necessary remedial measures.
