In 2017, the Mumbai traffic division, in a bid to decongest the city’s roads, introduced traffic signals on wheels. However, most of these devices have been out of commission for a while, mid-day has learnt. When this reporter visited Jogeshwari traffic chowkie, he saw a movable traffic signal in a deplorable condition. Not only was it coated in dust and cobwebbed but a shrine had also been attached to it, pointing to the fact that it hadn’t served its purpose for months.

“The signals on wheels could be rolled into areas where there was no scope or need to install permanent signals, but which required traffic regulation during certain times, dates or events,” said a retired traffic policeman, requesting anonymity. Another senior retired traffic official added, “Initially, they were very useful. Mumbai was not the first city to have signals on wheels. In 2011, Chennai had introduced them as the city was facing power supply issues, because of which traffic signals had stopped functioning, leading to chaos on the roads.”