The bustling streets of Jammu, once envisaged as a shining example of a Smart City, are now languishing in darkness due to the non-functional street lights that have plagued the city for the past six months. This prolonged issue has not only disrupted the daily lives of residents but also posed significant safety hazards, highlighting a glaring failure in municipal governance and infrastructure maintenance. The street light debacle has affected all sectors of the city, from residential areas to commercial zones, leaving citizens to navigate poorly lit streets fraught with risks. Reports of elderly citizens falling in the dark and increasing fears of crimes such as chain and mobile snatching underscore the urgent need for action. It is particularly disconcerting that even the wards represented by former Mayors and Deputy Mayors of the JMC are not exempt from this neglect, indicating a widespread systemic issue. This raises critical questions about the accountability and efficacy of the JMC in managing the city’s essential services.
The root of the problem appears to be a contractual dispute between the JMC and Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), the agency responsible for the installation and maintenance of the street lights. The dispute has led to a cessation of EESL’s services and halted payments, resulting in widespread outages. While contractual disagreements are not uncommon, allowing such issues to fester for half a year without resolution reflects poorly on the city’s administrative capabilities. Immediate and effective solutions are imperative. The JMC must expedite negotiations with EESL to either resolve the current dispute or seek alternative service providers who can promptly restore functionality. Concurrently, there needs to be a transparent audit of the contract and the materials used, as allegations of substandard items contributing to the problem have surfaced. The persistent darkness enveloping Jammu is more than a physical inconvenience-it is a metaphor for administrative apathy. Authorities must prioritise the resolution of the street light crisis, demonstrating a commitment to the safety and well-being of the residents.
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