Residents flag safety risks as street lights fail in Manikonda, Neknampur
HYDERABAD: The Citizens Council (THE CC) criticizes the Cyberabad Municipal Corporation (CMC) for neglecting to repair non-functional streetlights in several colonies in Manikonda and Neknampur. While the government’s Praja Palana Pragathi Pranalika focuses on identifying dark spots and installing new streetlights, the Council alleges that officials are overlooking basic maintenance responsibilities.
In an letter to the CMC Commissioner, copied to senior officials, the Council demands immediate restoration of street lighting and warns that continued inaction poses a significant public safety risk.
Providing specific examples, the Council reports that several areas in the Serilingampally Zone, including Go Green Colony, Road No. 4, Road No. 29 and 30, Alkapur Township, Pioneer Estate, Krishna Reddy Enclave, and other colonies, remain in complete darkness because officials have not repaired streetlights. The Council notes that, despite repeated complaints and follow-ups from residents, officials have not repaired the streetlights.
Shaik Aarif Mohammed, General Secretary of The Citizens Council, states that while the Praja Palana Pragathi Pranalika seeks to identify hotspots and install new lights, the ground situation contradicts this objective entirely. “It is deeply concerning that while officials plan new installations, they neglect the basic responsibility of maintaining and repairing existing infrastructure,” said Shaik Aarif Mohammed.
Officials have left many streetlights unattended across multiple colonies, leaving entire stretches in darkness. Repeated complaints have produced no results, and the goal of identifying hotspots is ineffective if existing systems are not operational.
Underscoring the safety implications, the Council emphasizes that the issue is not merely administrative but a serious public safety concern affecting women, children, elderly citizens, and the general public. “Entire streets are under complete darkness, creating unsafe and vulnerable conditions,” said Shaik Aarif Mohammed.
Moving to solutions, the Citizens Council makes the following demands, an immediate repair of all non-functioning streetlights, a comprehensive survey to identify all dark stretches, accountability for delays and negligence in addressing complaints, and installation of new streetlights only after officials ensure existing infrastructure is fully operational.
The Council urges the CMC Commissioner to intervene directly and ensure time-bound, visible action. “We urge your office to intervene directly and ensure time-bound, visible action to bridge the gap between policy intent and field-level execution under the Praja Palana Pragathi Pranalika,” the representation concludes.
