The area plunges into darkness after sundown, owing to non-functional streetlights, and women feel particularly vulnerable.
Residents of Sector 37C, Gurgaon, fear to venture out their homes after sundown. The reason? Failure to replace non-functional streetlights in the area despite repeated complaints.
Poorly lit streets pose a threat especially to working women on their way home at night. Most feel unsafe to venture out.
“The road that leads to the residential colony is not properly lit. You are not even safe if you are driving or travelling in a car, as potholes and lack of streetlights make commuting on the road a risky affair,” complained Vikas Bansal, RWA general secretary of Taksila Heights.
The residents met PWD minister Rao Narbir Singh on the matter. Assuring the residents, the minister said he would expedite the process of awarding the contract for replacing the defunct streetlights.
“I have ordered the officials of the department concerned to visit the area and check why the concerns haven’t been addressed for so long. They will submit their report as soon as possible. We will ensure that the streetlights are replaced within a month,” Singh said.
Members of RWAs said Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) should replace the streetlights at the earliest.
“Authorities are ignoring our concerns. Our sector suffers from the lack of basic civic amenities. There are not enough streetlights on most of the sector roads,” lashed out Atul Gandhi, another resident.
The women feel particularly vulnerable.
“We fear for our safety — there are no streetlights; the roads are riddled with potholes and, topping it all, there’s a liquor shop close to the residential area! Commuting even by car is a nightmare for pregnant women and those carrying infants,” Surbhi Bhargava, a resident, said.
Residents have been dealing with the issue for almost a year now.
HUDA officials said they have written to officials of Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (DHBVN) to instal more streetlights. “The concern regarding lack of streetlights will be addressed by the end of this month,” HUDA administrator Yashpal Yadav assured.
