HYDERABAD: Streetlights in the dark – GHMC faces 1,000 complaints daily
HYDERABAD: Streetlights across several parts of Hyderabad have stopped working, with more than half of them remaining defunct for nearly a year. Neither new lights are being installed nor old ones repaired. In some localities, streetlights stay on both day and night for months, leading to wastage of power.
Police have raised concerns that unlit areas and isolated stretches have become hotspots for thefts, harassment, and antisocial activities. “People are consuming alcohol and using drugs in these dark spots,” officials said, calling for urgent repairs.
Colonies left in darkness
The worst-affected areas include Chintal Basti, Anand Nagar Colony, Venkataramana Colony, Padmavati Colony, and parts of Banjara Hills under Khairatabad zone. Similar complaints have come from bastis in Somajiguda, Kapadia Lane, Punjagutta Officers’ Colony, and colonies along Road No. 45, Jubilee Hills.
In the eastern parts of the city Uppal Circle, Beerappagadda, East Kalyanpuri, Chilakanagar, Laxmareddy Colony, and Ganesh Nagar — residents have been struggling for months without streetlights. Several localities under Kapra Circle also report the same issue.
800–1,000 complaints a day
According to officials, the GHMC control room (040-2111 1111) and the MyGHMC mobile app receive nearly 800 complaints daily about non-functional streetlights. Another 500 complaints are made directly to corporators and officers. Yet, less than a quarter of them are being resolved.
In Anand Nagar Colony, residents said darkness has engulfed the area for months. “Lights are fixed and fail repeatedly. One pole had four replacements in a year,” said a local resident. Officials attributed it to faulty drivers inside the light units, revealing poor maintenance standards.
GHMC takes over from private agency
Earlier, Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) managed the city’s streetlight network for a monthly fee of ₹8 crore. Since May this year, GHMC has taken over operations directly, incurring a similar monthly cost. There are growing allegations of substandard equipment purchases under the new system.
