Kundannoor: For the traffic signal at Thevara Shanthi Nagar Junction to "open its eyes," the sun must blaze—there’s no battery backup. And for the past week, this spot has been a commuter’s nightmare.

The traffic pile-up stretches for kilometres, with vehicles clogging up from Pandit Karuppan Road, Kundannoor Bridge, Alexander Parambithara Bridge, and Thevara Ferry. Even the presence of a traffic cop has made little difference.

Order is restored only when the signal decides to wake up, sometimes as late as 10.30 am, and occasionally even later. This is on a route that sees heavy traffic from as early as 7.30 am. Along a one-kilometre stretch of Pandit Karuppan Road, there are coaching centres and seven educational institutions, most of which open at 8 am. Students and office-goers have been struggling to reach their destinations on time.

Some students say they have even missed exams due to the delay. Irate commuters are demanding immediate repairs to the solar-powered traffic signal or the permanent deployment of a traffic officer from 7.30 am onwards.