Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has received an alarming 4,78,072 complaints about streetlights malfunctioning across the city.
This figure translates to an average of nearly 8,000 complaints every month, highlighting a persistent and growing concern about the city’s public infrastructure. Despite the AMC’s efforts to address this issue, including installing 35,192 new streetlight poles at a cost of ₹119.48 crore, the complaints continue to flood in, raising questions about the effectiveness of ongoing maintenance practices. The complaints span across all zones of the city, with the South Zone bearing the brunt of the issues. This zone alone recorded over 1,02,000 complaints, followed by the West Zone with nearly 95,000 complaints, and the North Zone at over 66,000. In total, the complaints reflect a widespread and ongoing problem affecting a wide range of residential, commercial, and public spaces in Ahmedabad. According to experts, the surging number of grievances is a clear indicator that while infrastructural upgrades were made, the upkeep and maintenance of these systems have not kept pace.
A significant reason for this rise in complaints is the expiration of the maintenance contract for the city’s 2.13 lakh streetlight poles, which was outsourced to a private company. This contract expired four months ago, and since then, no new tender has been finalised for its renewal. With the delay in the tender process, maintenance operations have been stalled, exacerbating the existing problems. The lack of immediate action in this regard has not only led to increased public dissatisfaction but also raised safety concerns, particularly on busy roads that remain in the dark for extended periods. Experts point out that the absence of regular maintenance poses a serious risk of accidents and security threats, especially in areas that have long been underlit or completely without functioning streetlights. Dark streets are not only a deterrent to safe passage for pedestrians but also leave vulnerable areas susceptible to criminal activities, a concern that municipal officials have yet to fully address.
Further compounding the issue is the rapid increase in complaints, which have steadily risen over the past five years. Each of the city’s zones has seen an uptick in the number of reports regarding faulty streetlights, with the Central and East Zones both registering more than 58,000 complaints each. The growing number of unresolved issues has left many residents questioning the priorities of the AMC when it comes to essential infrastructure maintenance. In response, officials have stressed the importance of finalising new contracts for streetlight upkeep and have indicated that efforts are underway to ensure this happens as quickly as possible. However, until the new contracts are awarded and maintenance is properly resumed, the citizens of Ahmedabad will continue to experience the consequences of this lapse in responsibility.
As the city strives for sustainable and equitable growth, it is crucial that urban infrastructure such as street lighting receives the attention it deserves. Reliable, well-maintained streetlights are not only necessary for enhancing the quality of life in urban spaces but also play an essential role in promoting safety and reducing the city’s carbon footprint. Modern solutions, such as solar-powered streetlights, could present an eco-friendly alternative, which the AMC could consider integrating into future projects to align with India’s broader goals of sustainability.
In conclusion, while the installation of new streetlight poles has been a commendable move towards modernising Ahmedabad’s infrastructure, the rise in complaints points to deeper systemic issues surrounding maintenance. Experts agree that the AMC must prioritise addressing these concerns through better planning, timely contracts, and exploring innovative, sustainable solutions. Until these issues are resolved, the city will continue to struggle with its streetlight problems, hindering the efforts to create a safer and more eco-friendly urban environment.
AMC Struggles to Address Rising Streetlight Issues