Large parts of Thiruvananthapuram continue to be shrouded in darkness despite a Rs 9.5-crore LED streetlight project covering over 1.1 lakh lights, following the breakdown of the centralized control and monitoring system (CCMS). The failure has made it difficult to identify and repair faulty lights, leading to prolonged outages across several wards and raising safety concerns among residents.
CCMS Failure and Maintenance Delays
The situation has been worsened by violations of a key maintenance clause that mandates repairs within 48 hours, officials in the corporation said. They admitted that this timeline is frequently breached, with several streetlights remaining non-functional for weeks and even months. Mayor V V Rajesh acknowledged the issue, stating, "There are shortcomings in the monitoring system and delays in maintenance. We are examining the matter and will take necessary steps to ensure repairs are carried out within the stipulated time."
Contractor Responsibilities and Compliance Issues
A senior corporation official explained that maintenance responsibilities have been divided among three companies across different zones, including the city area, Kazhakkoottam, and regions near Karamana. "As per the agreement, faulty streetlights must be repaired within 48 hours. However, this is not being followed on the ground," the official said. He added that the scale of the issue has grown significantly in recent months. "We have around one lakh streetlights under the corporation and thousands have become non-functional. In many areas, these lights have remained defunct for months despite repeated complaints."
Impact of Malfunctioning Monitoring System
Officials pointed out that the malfunctioning CCMS has further aggravated the problem. The system, designed to remotely monitor streetlights, is unable to pinpoint the exact location of faults. "We are often forced to rely on field staff or public complaints to identify faulty lights, which delays repair work," the official added. This reliance on manual reporting has made the repair process inefficient and slow.
Project Background and Accountability Concerns
The LED project, implemented across three zones with private contractors responsible for long-term maintenance, was aimed at improving efficiency and reducing power consumption. However, delays in repairs have raised concerns over enforcement of maintenance clauses and accountability of contractors. Officials noted that the contract includes provisions to impose penalties or even terminate agreements if companies fail to meet deadlines, but it remains unclear whether any such action has been taken.
Residents in affected wards have expressed frustration over the prolonged darkness, citing safety risks and inconvenience. The corporation has assured that steps will be taken to address the issue, but the lack of a functioning monitoring system and consistent maintenance delays suggest that a resolution may not be imminent.
