Lightless streets

The City roads could be seen in dilapidated conditions at present due to the ongoing works under the much-hyped Smart City Project in Jammu and Kashmir, however, the majority of streets in Srinagar are still awaiting to get the mandatory street lights to help the people in evening hours to walk without any hindrance. The situation on some roads is worse as the people cannot dare to walk alone in absence of the street lights, but the concerned authorities seem reluctant to make sure that the mandatory street lights for the wellbeing of the pedestrians are installed. It is unfortunate that in the 21st century, the people are being forced to use mobile lights or some other gadgets to walk on the streets in the absence of proper street lights. The concerned Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) has so far claimed high and tall about the installation of the street lights across the City areas. But, one fails to understand why some of the streets have been left without the mandatory facility, which has been causing huge problems to the people in the evening hours. One could appreciate the efforts of the authorities with regard to the pace of work going on under Smart City project, but the concerned needs to take a look over the much-needed street lights and other basic facilities, which would help the general people day-in and day-out. Therefore, the concerned SMC must direct the authorities to identify all such lanes, streets on priority so that the street lights are installed on the routes at an earliest.