Assam: Guwahati city’s smart streetlight project fails to shine

Staff reporter

Guwahati: The much-hyped smart streetlight project, launched with the promise of transforming urban security and infrastructure, has become a source of growing frustration for city residents. Despite a hefty budget of Rs 83.96 crore and assurances from authorities, large sections of Guwahati continue to remain in darkness due to faulty, flickering, or entirely non-functional streetlights.

The project, which was inaugurated on October 10, 2024, aimed to install 20,667 smart streetlights across the city, enhancing visibility and improving safety. However, as of February 2025, officials claim that 20,657 lights have been installed, with at least 789 remaining unlit due to delays in meter connections from the Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL). Despite this, residents argue that the issue runs deeper than just installation delays, pointing to persistent problems in maintenance, uneven distribution, and lack of oversight. While some major roads have been lit up, many inner lanes, residential colonies, and even key arterial roads still remains in darkness. This has not only led to inconvenience but has also escalated safety concerns, particularly for pedestrians, students, and women traveling at night.

“In a posh area like Dispur, the bylanes still don’t have any streetlights,” said Pranab Jyoti Haloi, a resident of Beltola near the Assam Assembly. “Crime rates are rising in Guwahati, and it’s not just a concern for women but for everyone. Even after so many reports and complaints, these areas remain dark. Only the main roads have lights, but what about the smaller streets? And even where lights exist, there is no maintenance.”

The lack of proper illumination in certain neighbourhoods has left residents feeling increasingly unsafe. Bishnu Rabha, a resident of Kahilipara Road, expressed his disappointment over the authorities’ neglect. “Kahilipara has always been ignored. Even our main roads don’t have proper lighting—what more can we expect? Crimes are becoming easier to commit in such situations”. He further questioned the financial accountability of the project, “Where is all the allocated money going? At the very least, basic safety measures should be maintained, especially for students and women. But it seems like work only happens when important people visit or during high-profile events, while the rest of the year, nothing changes.”

The frustration among citizens is not limited to a few pockets of the city. Even in areas surrounding major institutions, the situation remains grim. A resident near GMCH (Gauhati Medical College and Hospital) voiced his anger stating, “The condition of our roads is terrible, and the streetlight facilities are even worse. Nothing ever improves.”

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