SHILLONG: Many of the street lights which were installed by Urban Affairs department in the city last year have gone kaput since many of the streetlights have become non-functional.
Speaking to The Shillong Times on Sunday, Urban Affairs Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh said that a Chief Secretary level meeting was held recently to review the situation. According to Lyngdoh, an assessment has been done and there are 360 lights in Shillong that needs to be either replaced or repaired.
The project was executed by the MeECL and out of the 4180 lights, 1080 will be CFL lamps, while 3100 are LED lights which were to be put in Greater Shillong area and it is the Shillong Municipal Board which has to get all bulbs and other equipments in order to replace the defunct lights.
The entire installation cost is shared by the Central Government as well as the Urban Affairs department and out of the total cost, Rs 90 lakh and Rs 60 lakh was borne by the Shillong Municipal Board and the MUDA respectively.
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.