Residents in a key area of Hubballi are forced to navigate in darkness every night due to a complete absence of street lighting on a major road. A stretch of approximately 2.5 kilometres, connecting Sirur Park to Heggeri, remains plunged into obscurity after sunset, posing significant risks to pedestrians and motorists alike.
Key Infrastructure Failure in Dense Area
The affected corridor, which falls under Ward-52 and HDMC Ward No 48, is not a remote path but a vital link passing through densely populated zones. It serves numerous residential localities, hospitals, and commercial establishments. Despite being surfaced with cement concrete (CC), a critical oversight was made: the installation of electricity poles and light fixtures was completely neglected, particularly on the median between the Gokul Road crossing and Heggeri.
Residents Voice Fear and Frustration
The lack of illumination has instilled a deep sense of fear and insecurity among the local populace. Families living in areas like New Court back side, Vinayak Nagar, Vidya Nagar, Chavan Garden, Rajadani Colony, and Kotilinga Nagar report heightened anxiety after 7 PM.
Laxman Baddi, a resident of Kotilinga Nagar, highlighted the road's importance, connecting landmarks like Sri Siddharoodha Mutt and the old Hubballi darga. "The HDMC, which is supposed to provide basic amenities, has failed. After the CC road was constructed, electricity poles were never installed," he stated, urging authorities to act immediately.
Echoing his concerns, Shivappa Koravar from Rajadani Colony said, "We're afraid to even step out after sunset. It feels unsafe and neglected. The dog menace has increased, and anything may happen. Officials need to wake up and provide this basic facility."
Official Response and Promised Action
When confronted with the issue, Laxmi Kamble, the HDMC Zone-7 zonal assistant commissioner, acknowledged the problem. She assured that she would bring the matter to the attention of the HDMC executive engineer of the electrical department and that steps would be taken to install the much-needed street lights soon.
The situation underscores a broader lapse in maintaining municipal lighting infrastructure. For now, the residents of these Hubballi localities continue to wait, hoping for a swift resolution to light up their dangerous nightly commute.
