Work to install lights at unlit parks to be delayed

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 11

The work of installing 6,000 lights at unlit parks in the city, which has been hanging fire for one-and-a-half years, is likely to be delayed further.

Earlier, the Municipal Corporation (MC) had asked Energy Efficient Services Ltd (EESL), a public sector undertaking, to carry out lighting work at dark spots, but the project did not materialise. The MC will now be floating a fresh tender in a day or two to complete the lighting work.

Residents have complained of illegal activities in unlit parks during late evening hours. They fear going in public parks when it gets dark.

“The MC has erected poles in parks. Not much progress has been made thereafter for one-and-a-half years. Residents want the civic body to fix bulbs on poles to light up parks. No one visits parks after 6:30 pm as overgrown grass hinders walking in the monsoon season,” said Hitesh Puri, chairman, Chandigarh Residents Associations’ Welfare Federation (CRAWFED).

Residents, especially in southern part of the UT, have complained that unlit parks are a safe haven for those consuming drugs or involved in other illegal activities.

“In Sector 56 park, the scene is gloomy after evening. Lights must be installed in the park as soon as possible. Why no action has been taken against the EESL for delaying the lighting work,” said Satvir Singh, a senior citizen.

A senior MC official shared that Rs 17 crore lighting work at parks was to be completed by the EESL. But, the company only managed to erect poles through a private contractor by spending Rs 11 crore, he added. Also, the company did not install fittings on poles, he said.

The MC Superintending Engineer (SE), horticulture and electricity wings, Krishan Pal Singh, said, “We will float a tender for the project in a day or two. The remaining work of fitting 6,000 garden lights will be completed soon.”

from The Tribune https://ift.tt/3hr4hrU