Bengaluru: Darkness reigns on several road stretches in Bellandur, Mahadevapura zone, after dusk as many LED streetlights in the locality have been malfunctioning since Oct 2023. Residents say the LED streetlights, once hailed as a solution to Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike's skyrocketing electricity bills, have become a glaring example of inefficiency now.
The ambitious LED streetlight project was launched in the city in July 2022, with a hefty investment of over Rs 600 crore.
Saying their complaints to BBMP have only been met with answers about a "new proposal" being under way, the residents lamented that they have to negotiate treacherously dark streets, heightening safety concerns and casting doubt on the effectiveness of the multi-crore project.
Hemanth Kumar, 52, a Haralur resident who travels to Bellandur by bike and car, said, "Between 10-15 streetlights aren't working on the main road, making it hard for us to travel, especially when it rains. About 20% of the streetlights aren't working on Dinne Anjaneya Road and Haralur Main Road. Things are dangerous when it rains, as there is no visibility on the roads which are full of potholes. The chances of robbery are also high. It's always better if we have streetlights. Even accidents can be avoided."
"When we complained, we were informed someone would come to repair them, but they haven't. They aren't even directing the person who is responsible," he added.
Devadutt PS, a resident of Kariyammana Agrahara for eight years, said, "After a long struggle, with the help of our local MLA, we got a few streetlights installed on our street. Suddenly, half of them aren't working. I've been trying to get help from a lot of officials, but there has been no positive response. The contractor and BBMP are blaming each other, but somebody should take responsibility."
"Road users in our community are suffering. It's scary to travel and it is becoming increasingly difficult. Maybe everybody thinks it's a simple problem, but it isn't. Most of the areas in Mahadevapura are facing a similar issue with LED lights. They are saying they started looking for tenders four months ago but nothing is being done," he said.
Amaresh Lakshmi Narayana, president of Green Glen Layout Residents Association, Bellandur, said, "One and a half years ago, numerous LED streetlights were installed, but the vendor contract has ended, as per officials. BBMP is responsible for maintaining these lights but is yet to initiate a new proposal/work order, leaving no one to repair or maintain the malfunctioning lights."
"Each streetlight seems to fall under a different contractor, making it difficult to address issues. Even when we reach out to BBMP, they claim a new proposal is being processed to transfer the maintenance responsibility to the current contractor. Despite multiple complaints over the past six months to a year, no significant action has been taken," he added.
A senior BBMP official, however, said, "So far, we've received and addressed all the issues, and we'll soon address them if there are any more issues. The problem isn't from our side."