Former Coimbatore City Police Commissioner V.Balakrishnan IPS, was recently appointed as IGP- Administration, office of the Director General of Police/Head of the Police Force, Chennai.

The Social Media Cell of Coimbatore City Police posted a tribute video for Balakrishnan IPS to appreciate the efforts he had taken to make the city a better place.

Looking in that angle, it is certain that the cop introduced several new projects by joining hands with other organizations/associations. He was instrumental in the launch of various initiatives such as Auto Thambi, Street Library Project, Police Akka, Police Bro, the very noble Kavasam Foundation (to support victims of crime), U-Turns, Roundabouts at crucial areas etc.

But the initiative by Coimbatore City Police under V.Balakrishnan that directly gave power to the people and the one that should be extended to other parts of Coimbatore is the Pelican Signal.

Introduced first at Gandhipuram in July 2023 and installed at various parts of Coimbatore after that, Pelican Signals gave pedestrians the power to halt the traffic and cross the roads safely. Pedestrians can press the button on either side of the pelican signal to switch on the red lights. The lights will stay on for 30 seconds. After this, the green signal will be active after 30 seconds to denote that vehicles can move on. Only after a gap of 3 minutes, the signal can be restarted by the next batch of pedestrians who wish to cross the road.

These signals introduced subsequently at Park Gate junction, Thudiyalur junction on Sathyamangalam Road, 11th cross on 100 Feet Road, Sungam, Varadharajapuram on Avinashi Road and recently near KMCH have helped pedestrians cross without worry.  Students and bus passengers who use these signal installed near PSGR Krishnammal college have said that they find this to be really useful. Similar feedbacks have been received in almost all places where these signals were installed.

Of all the initiatives, the city police under V.Balakrishnan took, this one will remain special for Coimbatore as it gives people the control and helps them cross the road calmly. Without it, pedestrians would only have to run to cross busy roads like Avinashi Rd. as the vehicles vrooming there won’t give way that easily. But now they have to stop for the comman man/woman. Kudos to V.Balakrishnan IPS and City Cops.