What do pitch-dark streets in Guwahati smack of?

 STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Guwahati literally becomes a 'dark city' when commercial and business establishments down their shutters late at night. It is the time when the pitched darkness of the city haunts pedestrians who happen to stroll at night on the streets, lanes, and bye-lanes in this 'smart city'. For the GMC (Guwahati Municipal Corporation), street lighting is all about illuminating the GS Road, RG Baruah Road, MG Road, and a few other roads. Most of the streetlights do not glow on these roads, let alone lanes, bye-lanes, and other roads in Guwahati.

Apart from these few roads, Guwahati has several other busy roads, lanes, and bye-lanes that have no provisions for streetlights. The road from Lokhra to Nepali Mandir has no provisions (no posts) for streetlights at several stretches. This is a busy road at night as well.

The Sukapha Road from the Hatigaon Chariali to Sijubari Durgah, the Kanaklata Path from Sijubari (Khanka Masjid) to Lokhra Road via Dakshingaon, Bhetapara to Lokhra Road via Ghoramara, Ghoramara to Sijubari Road, the AK Dev Path from Gorchuk to Fatasil Market, VIP Road connecting Six Mile and Narengi, etc., have no posts for streetlights.

When asked about the dark streets in Guwahati, the GMC authorities admitted that streetlights in some areas have gone out of order and that the process for their replacement is underway.

When asked about the lack of provision for streetlights on most of the roads in Guwahati, the GMC authorities passed the buck to Guwahati Smart City Ltd. (GSCL), as such roads fall under their jurisdiction. On its part, GSCL did fix a few streetlights on main roads, bye-lanes, and in front of residences under its Project Jyoti. Most of the GSCL's streetlights have gone out of order in the city.

When asked, GSCL authorities said that the second phase of Project Jyoti is underway and that those who need streetlights can apply.

However, frequent night strolls in the city have revealed that Guwahati remains pitch-dark at night, making the situation most favourable for thieves and other miscreants to have their field days.

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