B'luru streetlight menace; commuters' safety at risk

Sowmya Raju | NT

Bengaluru: Bengaluru is known for its traffic congestion and, unfortunately, its lack of street lights in several areas.

Even main roads that are used by several commuters lack street lights. Several roads surrounding the stadium, including Infantry Road, Cubbon Road, Central Road, and sections of Queens Road, are devoid of streetlights.

In addition, prominent thoroughfares such as the Diary Circle including the flyover in SG Palaya, Kengal Hanumanthaiah Road near the Shanthi Nagar bus terminal, certain segments of commercial streets and so on consistently or frequently face a lack of adequate street lighting.

These are just some one the examples and several other roads in the city, especially smaller streets lack street lights.

Safety risks

Insufficient lighting on roadways can lead to a multitude of problems, compromising the safety and well-being of both pedestrians and drivers.

Reduced visibility on roads, especially at night, increases the risk of accidents. Insufficient public lighting not only fosters criminal activity but also heightens the threat to the community.

"It's really scary to ride my bike at night in some areas of the city," said one rider.

"There are no street lights, so it's hard to see the road ahead and there are a lot of potholes. I'm always worried about getting into an accident."

The absence of adequate lights creates challenges for animals, pedestrians and cyclists attempting to cross roads safely.

A car driver expressed concerns to News Trail regarding this stating, "There have been several instances where I've come dangerously close to colliding with dogs or cyclists in several roads. In particular, there's a blind spot near the turning that severely limits a driver's visibility ahead, making it a challenging area to navigate.”

The lack of proper lighting instils a sense of fear and anxiety among commuters and riders.

When travelling in areas with poor lighting, individuals may feel unsafe, and this heightened unease can impact their overall travel experience.

"I've heard numerous stories of people falling victim to robbery or violence on poorly lit streets, and it always weighs heavily on my mind when I need to travel this stretch near KMF Dairy Circle," expressed a young woman who commutes on her twowheeler.

"My heart races with anxiety and fear, urging me to cross it as quickly as possible."

Streetlight absence: Hazardous stunts, endangering road safety

The absence of streetlights on roads surrounding the stadium and other key areas creates an alarming opportunity for miscreants to engage in hazardous stunts.

The darkness provides cover for reckless activities, endangering both the perpetrators and innocent road users.

This risky behaviour not only poses a threat to the safety of those involved in the stunts but also jeopardises the well-being of others on the road. Adequate lighting is crucial to deter such incidents and ensure a safer environment for everyone.

The blame game

The BBMP is responsible for placing and maintaining the street lights in Bengaluru.

However, they have often been criticised for their inaction in this area. BESCOM is responsible for providing electricity to the street lights.

The blame game between the BBMP and BESCOM has left many residents without adequate street lighting.