Peak afternoon heat: Turn off traffic signals

Sir,

Every summer, Mysuru experiences intense afternoon heat, yet the city’s traffic management appears largely insensitive to these conditions. Many traffic signals continue to function rigidly during peak afternoon hours, forcing commuters to wait under the scorching sun.

What is more concerning is that several junctions have no Traffic Police personnel present to manually regulate traffic. If standing under extreme heat is difficult for traffic personnel, which is understandable, one must ask whether commuters are expected to endure conditions that even enforcement staff avoid.

In several cities across Gujarat and Rajasthan, authorities adopt a more practical approach during severe summer conditions by either switching off signals during peak heat hours or regulating traffic dynamically through personnel. This helps ensure smoother movement and reduces unnecessary waiting in harsh weather.

In Mysuru, however, signals continue to operate mechanically even when traffic is thin and manageable, resulting in avoidable delays and discomfort. If signals must remain operational, Traffic Police personnel should be present at junctions to actively manage traffic flow.

Otherwise, it raises a valid question: Why should commuters be made to suffer in extreme heat when even enforcement personnel are not stationed at the junctions? A citizen-friendly city must adapt its systems to practical realities, especially something as basic as weather conditions.

—Rahul Gowda

Mysuru

6.5.2026