SHILLONG, May 4: Streetlights in Shillong which have remained ill-maintained for a prolonged period of time could see an overhaul within a span of four months if the government abides by the directive of the High Court of Meghalaya.
A Division Bench of the Court, on Wednesday, gave four months to the state government to complete the illumination of streets in the city which do not have functional streetlights.
The respondents submitted that as many as 226 out of the 323 streetlights have been restored in wards number 1 to 4 of Laitumkhrah area, according to the court order.
The Power department has submitted that the supplies for the remaining streetlights have been sought and it is expected that they would be effected within the next two months.
The department has clarified that the streetlights are not being installed at new positions but the lack of maintenance over a period of time had resulted in most of the streetlights not functioning.
“In view of the substantial work already completed and notwithstanding the petitioner’s entreaties that the turning or corner points should be illuminated on an urgent basis, the respondents are afforded four months from date to complete the illumination,” the court said.
The respondents were also asked to bear in mind the reasonable request of the petitioner that the corner areas or the turning points should be addressed first before the other areas are serviced.
“Since the matter complained of has been substantially taken care of and the fact that the respondents have indicated a timeline within which the rest of the work is expected to be completed, no useful purpose would be served in keeping the matter pending,” the order said.
The High Court also observed that in the unlikely event that the work is not completed within the next five months, the petitioner or any other like-minded individual may bring the matter to the notice of the court.
It is worth mentioning here that the Court’s proactive role of late in taking up administrative matters making the state machinery move is noteworthy and deserves to be appreciated.
