Despite the hue and cry about the safety of women in Bangalore, basic issues like ensuring adequate lighting across the City are still not being addressed.
![Difficult times: Lack of streetlights in many parts of the City pose a threat.]( "Difficult times: Lack of streetlights in many parts of the City pose a threat.")
In fact, because of the absence of streetlights, many parts of the City plunge into darkness immediately after sundown.
Citizens are understandably concerned about this, pointing out that such areas can develop into hubs of illegal activities and are generally unsafe to travel in at night.
The entire stretch from Domlur till the Ejipura signal, for instance, is devoid of any streetlights.
Likewise, the stretch from Agara to Belandur remains dark at night. It isn't just the main roads which are devoid of lights either — many interior areas are in the same condition.
Residents in and around HSR Layout and Yelahanka complain that there are hardly any streetlights in their part of town, which makes it extremely difficult for them to travel alone in the evenings.
Vivek Nair, a student, says that he often feels unsafe while he is returning from college. "There are many stretches on the Yelahanka side where there are no streetlights.
While some stretches have an abundance of streetlights, others are completely dark. It would be very helpful for students and people in general if the administration puts more streetlights in the dark stretches," he states.
The lack of streetlights isn't just a safety concern; it also causes problems for
motorists.
"In Domlur, the roads are filled with potholes and the lack of streetlights only adds to the problem. Many motorists skid and fall and accidents are common.
Considering the fact that the area has a heavy flow of traffic on weekdays, the City administration should take a call on resolving the problem. What aggravates this problem is the fact that the area has defence land on either side and there is no other source of light," points out Sunil, a professional.
S S Khandre, the PRO of the BBMP, informs that streetlights are currently being installed on the flyover at Richmond Circle. However, he adds, "The work does not take place in a huge manner and unless the BBMP receives complaints pertaining to a certain area, the work does not begin there."
Govindaiah, the executive engineer (electrical) of the east division, says that the situation is marginally better in that area. "We have been allotted some grants to install streetlights on the outskirts. However, we have not received any grants for the core areas as they have enough streetlights.
These areas on the outskirts, where streetlights will be installed, have not been identified yet. The list will be made by us as well as the counsellors of that particular area. We still have to wait for that," he explains.
In the meantime, Bangaloreans will have to take care of their own safety till the administration decides to light up the dark areas in the City.
In fact, because of the absence of streetlights, many parts of the City plunge into darkness immediately after sundown. Citizens are understandably concerned about this, pointing out that such areas can develop into hubs of illegal activities and are generally unsafe to travel in at night.
The entire stretch from Domlur till the Ejipura signal, for instance, is devoid of any streetlights.
Likewise, the stretch from Agara to Belandur remains dark at night. It isn't just the main roads which are devoid of lights either — many interior areas are in the same condition.
Residents in and around HSR Layout and Yelahanka complain that there are hardly any streetlights in their part of town, which makes it extremely difficult for them to travel alone in the evenings.
Vivek Nair, a student, says that he often feels unsafe while he is returning from college. "There are many stretches on the Yelahanka side where there are no streetlights.
While some stretches have an abundance of streetlights, others are completely dark. It would be very helpful for students and people in general if the administration puts more streetlights in the dark stretches," he states.
The lack of streetlights isn't just a safety concern; it also causes problems for
motorists.
"In Domlur, the roads are filled with potholes and the lack of streetlights only adds to the problem. Many motorists skid and fall and accidents are common.
Considering the fact that the area has a heavy flow of traffic on weekdays, the City administration should take a call on resolving the problem. What aggravates this problem is the fact that the area has defence land on either side and there is no other source of light," points out Sunil, a professional.
S S Khandre, the PRO of the BBMP, informs that streetlights are currently being installed on the flyover at Richmond Circle. However, he adds, "The work does not take place in a huge manner and unless the BBMP receives complaints pertaining to a certain area, the work does not begin there."
Govindaiah, the executive engineer (electrical) of the east division, says that the situation is marginally better in that area. "We have been allotted some grants to install streetlights on the outskirts. However, we have not received any grants for the core areas as they have enough streetlights.
These areas on the outskirts, where streetlights will be installed, have not been identified yet. The list will be made by us as well as the counsellors of that particular area. We still have to wait for that," he explains.
In the meantime, Bangaloreans will have to take care of their own safety till the administration decides to light up the dark areas in the City.