Chandigarh's Darkened Arteries: A Growing Threat to Commuters and Pedestrians

Chandigarh, often lauded as the 'City Beautiful' for its meticulous planning and verdant landscapes, is increasingly finding itself shrouded in a different kind of beauty – one born of neglect and shadows. A pervasive and alarming issue has taken hold across its meticulously designed sectors and bustling thoroughfares: the alarming failure of public street lighting.

What was once a symbol of modern urban living has, for many residents, become a source of daily trepidation, transforming familiar paths into perilous passages.

From the wide, arterial roads connecting the city's various zones to the quieter, internal lanes of residential sectors, the problem is starkly evident.

Areas like Sectors 11, 15, 17, 22, 23, 27, 34, 35, 36, 42, 44, 45, and 46 are frequently plunged into darkness. Even critical transit points such as the Airport road, the stretch from PGI to Khuda Lahora, and the bypass road near Sector 39, which witness heavy vehicular movement, suffer from long stretches of non-functional streetlights.

This widespread dimming isn't just an aesthetic concern; it's a critical safety hazard, turning the city into a labyrinth of potential dangers after dusk.

The human cost of this neglect is immense. Commuters, particularly those on two-wheelers, face an elevated risk of accidents due to poor visibility, especially when contending with potholes or unexpected obstacles.

Pedestrians, especially women and the elderly, voice a palpable fear of snatching incidents and other crimes, forced to navigate unlit areas in a state of constant vigilance. "Walking home after dark has become a terrifying ordeal," laments Sunita Devi, a resident of Sector 27. "You're always looking over your shoulder, hoping no one is lurking in the shadows.

The city used to feel safe, but not anymore." This sentiment is echoed by many, who recount abandoning their evening walks and outdoor activities as the sun sets, sacrificing their well-being for fear of the dark.

Residents point to a litany of causes for this infrastructural breakdown. While some lamps are simply old and require replacement, many others remain non-functional due to a lack of routine maintenance and a sluggish response system from the authorities.

The blame often circulates between the Municipal Corporation (MC) and the UT administration, with neither appearing to take full, decisive ownership of the issue. The ambitious Smart City project, intended to usher in an era of technological advancement and improved urban services, ironically stands in stark contrast to the basic amenity of reliable street lighting, leaving many to question its true efficacy.

A collective cry for help has risen from various Resident Welfare Associations and concerned citizens who have repeatedly appealed to the civic bodies.

Their pleas, however, seem to fall on deaf ears, met with promises of inspection and repair that often fail to materialize or provide only temporary respite. The frustration is tangible: how can a city that prides itself on its planned development overlook such a fundamental aspect of public safety and quality of life?

The Municipal Corporation's primary mandate includes ensuring the proper functioning of public infrastructure, with street lighting being paramount.

It is imperative that the MC and the UT administration collaborate effectively to conduct a comprehensive audit of all streetlights, prioritize immediate repairs, and establish a robust, proactive maintenance schedule. Implementing modern, energy-efficient LED lighting solutions could not only enhance visibility but also contribute to the city's sustainability goals.

Chandigarh deserves to live up to its 'City Beautiful' moniker, not just in daylight but around the clock.

Restoring adequate lighting to its roads is not merely about aesthetics; it is about reinstating public safety, fostering a sense of security, and allowing its residents to reclaim their city after sunset. The onus is now squarely on the authorities to dispel the encroaching darkness and illuminate Chandigarh's path towards a truly safe and vibrant future.