GETTING a non-functional streetlight repaired will soon be a breeze. While driving on a city road if you come across a non-functional streetlight, just SMS a “special ID code” assigned to that pole to a telephone number to register your complaint.
Acting on the basis of a special survey, the UT Traffic Police have forwarded a proposal to the UT Administration to blow off the menace of faulty lights.
In the proposal that is awaiting approval, the traffic police have recommended a system whereby a unique ID will be painted boldly on each pole.
The complaints can be sent through SMS citing the ID number to a server that will compile the data with the help of a special software. The complaint number will be sent back automatically to the cellphone of the complainant.
After the streetlight is repaired, intimation will be sent through an SMS to the complainant.
The UT Traffic Police conducted a survey in the first week of June to assess the working of streetlights on the four busiest city roads — Himalaya Marg, Madhya Marg, Dakshin Marg and Sukhna Path.
The survey revealed that one-third of the streetlights (492 out of 1,062) were non-operational.
Surprisingly, the survey found out that neither the Municipal Corporation nor the UT Administration had information about the non-functional streetlights.
While talking to Newsline, a senior police official says, “The city direly needs an efficient streetlight system. The authorities do not get the wind of the fault, as most of the times complaints go unnoticed. Unlit roads have become a haven for snatchers, besides being accident-prone. Therefore, it is important to have a foolproof complaint system.”
Faulty streetlights at fault
More than 50 per cent of the fatal road accidents occur during late evening and night hours.
Cyclists and pedestrians, who account for nearly 40 per cent of fatalities, become vulnerable as the sun sets.
The headlight glare on unlit roads makes senior citizens’ view hazy.