Defunct lights plunge Jawahar Nagar, Rajbagh roads into darkness

Srinagar, Oct 17: Several key localities in Srinagar, including Jawahar Nagar, Ikhrajpora, and Rajbagh, are reeling under darkness as most lights along the main roads have remained defunct for the past two weeks. The blackout has turned these bustling neighborhoods into ghostly stretches during night hours, causing immense inconvenience to locals and commuters.
Locals said that despite repeated appeals, the authorities, particularly the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), have failed to take action. “The entire stretch remains pitch dark after evening prayers. It becomes difficult to walk or drive, especially for women and elderly people. The presence of stray dogs has made it even more dangerous,” said Shabir Ahmad, a local from Jawahar Nagar.
The darkened streets have also sparked security and safety concerns among locals. “Even minor accidents are happening because vehicles can’t spot pedestrians on time. Streetlights were installed with much fanfare, but no one seems to care about maintenance,” said another resident from Ikhrajpora.
Locals added that areas like Rajbagh and Ikhrajpora, usually busy with evening pedestrians, are now avoided after dusk due to poor visibility and fear of dog attacks.
Citizens have appealed to the SMC authorities to immediately repair the faulty streetlights and conduct regular maintenance checks to avoid such recurring lapses. [KNT]