Kathmandu, March 29

Two of the seven smart traffic lights installed at different junctions of Kathmandu have gone kaput a day after their inauguration.

Officials at Metropolitan Traffic Police Division said the old traffic lights were installed after repair and upgraded to serve additional functions. This caused the traffic lights to go dysfunctional, they said.

The newly installed traffic lights were expected to ease traffic congestion and reduce road  accidents. Traffic police have been working manually to manage traffic in Kathmandu Valley for the past 10 years.

The Department of Roads, Metropolitan Traffic Police Division and Kathmandu Metropolitan City had installed traffic lights in New Baneshwor, Narayan Gopal Chowk, Padmodaya Mod, Putalisadak, Keshar Mahal, Sundhara and Soaltee Mod on Tuesday.

According to SSP Umesh Ranjitkaar at MTPD, the wireless traffic lights of New Baneshwor and Keshar Mahal have encountered technical glitches.

He also said the traffic lights were shut down today to manage movement of VVIPs. The president passed through the route today to address the Parliament.

“Technicians are working to fix the problem. The traffic lights will be brought into operation as soon as possible,” he said.