The ministry had quoted the Justice Verma committee report, which, in
its recommendation had highlighted the importance of good street
lighting for the safety and security of women. “Streetlights everywhere
would provide more safety since the areas without them are more prone to
facilitate crimes,” the committee had said.

However, civic
officials said there is no immediate plan to have more streetlights,
except in some fringe areas that have been merged with the municipal
limits. “We have good street lighting arrangements across the city. In
fact, there are some streets with additional lights. There are at least
10,000-15,000 streetlights in each of the 15 divisional zones across the
city. However, there could be some areas in the fringes where street
lights are not adequate,” said Shriniwas Kandul, superintendent engineer
of the PMC’s electrical department.He said they had not received any
complaints about inadequate street lighting.

Citizens have
refuted his claim and said there are many areas in the city that could
do with better street lighting. Satish Khot, president of the National
Society for Clean Cities, said, “There is no uniform lighting and bulbs
fail to light up, resulting in dark patches. In some areas, such as
North Main Road in Koregaon Park and in Kalyaningar, old poles have not
been removed after road widening. There have been accidents after
two-wheelers hit these poles as it was dark,” he said.

At main
junctions in the city and in the fringe areas, adequate street lights
and high masts were needed, he added. “At many places, branches of trees
block the light. They have to be trimmed regularly and in coordination
with the traffic department,” Khot said.

Citizen activist Binod
Ojha said street lighting arrangements in some areas of Lohegaon are
inadequate. “Although there are street lights, visibility is poor. In
some areas, there is total darkness,” he said. Civic officials must
visit fringe areas to have a clear picture of the requirement for street
lights, he added.

A Fergusson College Road resident said the
arterial road near the Shivajinagar police station was poorly lit and
the lanes had some light only because of the buildings and flats.

“There are long stretches of the B T Kawade Road that are unlit. It is a
main road, but the lights are dim and there is no high mast,” said a
resident.

Salunke Vihar Road too is dimly lit.” My gold chain
was grabbed and I could not see the chain snatchers because the road is
poorly lit,” said Mabel D’Souza.

In its advisory, the ministry
had said that one of the important functions of urban local bodies is to
make provision for street lights. “Street lighting is critical for
public authorities due to its strategic importance for economic and
social activities as well as enhanced security of citizens. It not only
improves vehicular traffic and pedestrians’ security, but helps in
enhancing safety of citizens, especially women,” the advisory said.

Research conducted in the past has suggested that improved street
lighting discourages potential offenders as they are at risk of being
identified easily, the ministry said. “We feel safer in a well-lit
street. Besides, police presence becomes more visible, thus leading to
prevention of crimes. Improved street-lighting can encourage more people
to walk at night, which also increases informal surveillance,” the
ministry added.

A meeting of secretaries held in January, after
the gang rape of a 23-year-old woman in New Delhi in a moving bus,
stressed on the need for increased focus on street lighting in public
places. “Civic bodies must undertake a review of the existing facilities
and strengthen the system wherever required,” urban development
secretary Sudhir Krishna said in his letter to the state governments.

‘Use energy-efficient methods’

Street lighting costs can be cut drastically with the use of new
energy-efficient technologies and design. The Union urban development
ministry observed that by saving money, the need for new generating
plants is either reduced or eliminated and could also provide capital
for alternative energy solutions for people in remote areas. The savings
could also enable municipal corporations to expand street lighting in
low-income and other underserved areas. Civic officials said that a plan
for using LED lights is in the offing, which will improve street
lighting and be cost-effective. Solar power is used for lighting gardens in some areas, the officials added.