By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: A majority of the city roads plunge into darkness after sunset due to the non-functioning of the street lights installed and even the national highway, which passes through the heart of the city, fares no better.
Many streets and main roads in the city remain under the cover of darkness despite the huge flow of traffic till late at night.
The absence of proper street lights in the city is in contrary to other capital cities in the country where at least the main roads are well lighted. Even though, Khyndailad, the main commercial centre of the city, and its adjoining areas have been ‘bathed’ in powerful street lights, other areas in the city have not been half as lucky.
The residents feel that thefts, robberies and many other crimes could be controlled better if street lights installed in the city function properly.
“Around 500-600 street lights under the Municipality in the city are not functioning,” said Principal Secretary, Urban Affairs P Naik. While reacting on the absence of proper street lights in the city, Naik said that the department will conduct a meeting with the MeECL on Monday to discuss the issue. He also stated that the Urban Affairs will replace atleast half of the street lights with LED lights which would help the power starved State to save electricity.
“We will replace it in the next two months,” he said.
The Principal Secretary also stated that the Urban Affairs has huge outstanding dues to be paid to the MeECL which will also be discussed in the meeting scheduled on Monday.
“The outstanding dues will be cleared in the next two weeks,” he added.
It may be mentioned that there was steady a rise in theft cases in the city due to the load shedding enforced by the State Government earlier in the year. However, with an end to the arrangement, not much has changed for the city roads which still continue to remain under the shadow of darkness till further actions.