Councillors raise eyebrows on change of functional streetlights

Chandigarh, January 29 The replacement of functional streetlights from Jan Marg and Madhya Marg by the electricity wing of the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation has raised eyebrows of many councillors as they failed to understand the logic behind the decision. While the corporation is spending crores on the installation of new streetlights, the councillors are worried about the fate of lights being removed. The officials concerned, however, have claimed that the removed streelights would be used in the areas where roads would be widened in future.

“There is no need to change the lights, I fail to understand the logic behind it,” said Councillor Pallav Mukherjee, former chairman of the MC Electricity Committee. Stressing on the need to evolve a system to ensure the proper usage of public money, Mukherjee said replacement of properly functional lights was sheer wastage of public money.

He said the existing streetlights after their removal would be dumped. He demanded the officials should inform that how many streetlights have been used after their removal. He further added that streetlights once removed would end up in junkyard. The CBI has already registered a case against the MC officials after it found that less number of electricity poles have been installed than shown on the records.

According to the proposal prepared by the MC officials, the removal is part of the Implement the Road Lighting Energy Efficient Project to illuminate Dakshin Marg, Jan Marg and Madhya Marg.

When contacted, Superintending Engineer (B and R) Yogesh Gupta said that they have been following the decision taken at the MC House meeting.