Deputy commissioner of police (traffic) Manoj Patil explained the kind of system the traffic branch had in mind. "Right now, there are various ways that we use to control traffic. We either have fixed signal timings or an Area Traffic Control System (ATCS). We can also have a box arrangement at the chowk where one policeman can control the traffic, or we manage the traffic manually,'' Patil said.

During a traffic jam, motorists attempt any which way to extricate themselves and just make the problem worse, said Patil. "Policemen too cannot help much as the traffic signals run on a fixed schedule."

The remote system, on the other hand, allows the changing of phases (the time during which a light shows red, yellow or green), as per the decision of the policeman at the chowk. "The civic body will put a censor card in the signal, which will respond to the remote,'' Patil said. "Each remote-controlled signal will cost Rs 5,000.'' The signal will be incorporated into the ATCS.

At present, the traffic branch has identified 38 ATC signals on six roads and 30 new ATC signals are coming up on VIP road. "We have identified another 40 signals where we want the censors to be put,'' Patil added.

The traffic branch recently tested the remote system at Modern chowk, and this showed good results, Patil said. The traffic branch and the PMC also plan synchronisation of signals on 10 roads.

The roads are: Karve road, Jangli Maharaj road, Shivaji road (in two sections), Tilak road, Laxmi road (in two sections), Bajirao road, VIP road (in two sections), Fergusson college road, Senapati Bapat road and Aundh road.

The Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd (PMPML) has also been asked to move 27 bus stops in the jurisdiction of Faraskhana, Deccan, Kothrud, Hadapsar, Swargate, Sahkarnagar and Chatushrungi. Patil said some of these bus-stops are near chowks. As a result, they create traffic snarls and are a danger to those who wish to commute by bus.