9,310 dark spots keep Chandigarh unsafe, shows MC survey 

The Chandigarh municipal corporation in its latest survey has identified 9,310 dark spots in the city to be covered with streetlights.

Of these, 6,310 are on internal roads and 3,000 in neighbourhood parks besides in 25 big parks and 74 green belts.

Dark spots are isolated places within sectors and public parks that are not illuminated, posing threat to residents. Well-lit roads help keep a check on crimes and accidents at night.

Superintending engineer NP Sharma, who is overseeing the implementation, said under the project no spot that is important for public utility will remain in dark due to absence of streetlights.

Executive engineer Kuldeep Singh said the survey also included recommendations of councillors and residents, who feel entry to their lanes or internal sector roads are not well-lit.

Poor finances a concern

According to sector-wise data assessed by HT, 5,900 spots are in southern sectors (31 to 63) and periphery against 3,400 in northern sectors (1 to 30). There are at least 12 sectors that have more than 200 dark spots.

According to the report, all these spots will be covered with LED lights of different sizes.All existing street lights are also being upgraded to LEDs.

The city at present has 41,000 streetlights on sector roads and 3,771 in greenbelts and parks.

The survey proposes to increase lights on roads to 47,000 while almost doubling those in parks.It also proposes replacement of damaged wires of 4,000 existing lights.

However, the MC is in a fix over the project’s execution, as it needs at least ₹26 crore. Given its tight fiscal scenario, it is in no position to undertake any major capital intensive work.MC commissioner KK Yadav said the project is among the important ones for which funding will be sought from the UT administration.

‘Residents safety a priority’

Former mayor Arun Sood said the project is directly linked with safety of residents.

“With snatching incidents and other crimes on the rise, all dark spots need to be illuminated,” he said.

Congress councillor Devinder Babla said the city’s development can’t be postponed because of lack of funds. “The mayor should arrange funds and get the project executed on priority.”

Sources said the mayor and commissioner on Wednesday held discussions on the financial roadmap of the corporation, which will be placed before the House later this month.