Bhubaneswar: Several prominent stretches in the city, including the road between Press Chhak and Omfed Square, the six-lane left parallel road from Hatiasuni Square, parts of the busy Jaydev Vihar-Nandankanan Road and internal lanes of Kharavela Nagar, have remained in darkness over the past several evenings due to non-functioning of streetlights.The prolonged blackout has caused inconvenience to hundreds of commuters, with motorists finding it difficult to navigate poorly lit roads and pedestrians expressing concerns over their safety. Residents alleged that the recurring failure of streetlights in key areas has become a persistent issue, affecting both traffic movement and public security.During evening hours, several motorists were seen slowing down on dark stretches to avoid potholes and other road hazards. Residents said inadequate illumination has increased the risk of accidents and made the affected areas vulnerable to anti-social activities.“Driving through the Press Chhak-Omfed Square road after sunset has become extremely difficult. Visibility is poor, and one can barely take notice of pedestrians or parked vehicles until the last moment,” said Sanjay Dash, a daily commuter.Another resident of Kharavela Nagar, Priyanka Mohanty, said the lack of streetlights has created anxiety among locals. “Many people return home late from work. The dark internal lanes make women, senior citizens and children feel unsafe. The authorities should address the issue immediately,” she said.Motorists using Jaydev Vihar-Nandankanan Road echoed similar concerns. “This is one of the busiest corridors in the city. Functional streetlights are essential for road safety, especially during peak evening hours,” said Rakesh Swain, a software professional.Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC), in the meantime, acknowledged the problem and said efforts were underway to restore the lighting system. “We have received complaints regarding non-functional streetlights in several locations. Our maintenance teams have been directed to inspect the affected stretches and carry out necessary repairs at the earliest,” said city mayor Sulochana Das.An official from the civic body’s streetlight maintenance wing attributed the disruption in some locations to the ongoing rains, technical faults and cable-related issues. “Preliminary inspections indicate that electrical faults and damage to underground cables may have affected streetlight operations in some areas. Repair work has already been initiated,” the official said.Residents, however, urged the authorities to adopt a more proactive maintenance mechanism instead of responding only after complaints are received. “Civic agencies should conduct regular inspections of streetlight infrastructure. Such failures on major roads should not continue for days together,” said Ajay Kumar Sahu, a resident of Kharavela Nagar.
