Srinagar, Mar 13: Despite several deadlines for the installation of street lights in Srinagar, the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) has failed to install lights in many parts of the city, causing inconvenience to many people.
The corporation claimed to have installed around 69,000 lights in the city and prioritized the main roads in the first phase, but after completing the main roads, they proceeded to set up lights in other parts of the city.
However, most areas of Srinagar, including the city centre and Karanagar, where the SMC office is located, still lack street lights. In some areas, major roads have yet to be built. Although the authorities claim that all the smart city projects in the city will be completed by April 15, they have so far failed to install street lights in significant parts of the city.
According to Joint Commissioner SMC Ishtiyaq Ahmad, the first phase of the project has been completed in approximately 55% of the areas, and all areas will be completed in the coming two months. The corporation is putting all its efforts into completing the project within the next two months.
Ahmad stated that around 50,000 lights would be installed in the coming two months, covering every dark spot and other areas, including lanes and by-lanes. He assured the people that no corner of Srinagar would be left without street lights.
When asked about complaints regarding defunct lights in some areas, the officer said that the SMC promptly responds to complaints and repairs the lights within 24 hours. Approximately 15,000 complaints have been received, and all have been resolved promptly.
However, Shakir Ahmad from the Batmaloo area reported that dozens of lanes are still without street lights, and the existing lights are defunct, causing inconvenience to the people late at night and early in the morning. Top officials of the corporations have assured the people of the installation of lights for the past two years, but despite the passage of several deadlines, they have yet to install the lights.
The people of Srinagar have demanded the installation of street lights in the city without further delay.
