Gurgaon's Bajghera Road Plunged in Darkness as Streetlights Remain Non-Functional
GURGAON: A critical stretch of Bajghera Road in Gurgaon has been shrouded in darkness for over a year, posing severe safety risks to commuters and residents. The streetlights, installed by the Public Works Department (PWD), have never been operational since their installation, highlighting significant lapses in civic administration and inter-departmental coordination.
Residents Voice Safety Concerns Amid Bureaucratic Delays
Local residents have expressed growing frustration and fear as the non-functional lighting has turned the 4-kilometer stretch into a hazard zone, particularly near an underpass where multiple accidents have been reported. "It has been more than a year since their installation, but the lights have not worked even for a single day. Some poles have also been damaged," stated Rakesh Rana, president of the Sai Kunj Residents Welfare Association (RWA).
The core issue stems from a lack of electricity connection, exacerbated by poor coordination between government departments. While the road falls under the jurisdiction of the PWD, initial attempts to secure power from the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) were rebuffed, with MCG officials claiming the road was not under their purview.
Inter-Departmental Confusion Compounds the Problem
"The connection was applied for with MCG, but they refused, saying it is a PWD road. Later, we were told that PWD applied separately for a direct connection from Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (DHBVN), but there is still no clarity on when the lights will become operational," Rana elaborated. This bureaucratic runaround has left residents in limbo, with no resolution in sight despite repeated complaints to authorities.
The absence of illumination is particularly dangerous at night, where unmarked speed breakers and potholes further increase the risk of accidents. "The moment you exit the underpass, it is completely dark. There have already been several accidents. It is dangerous, especially for two-wheeler riders," highlighted resident Raul Yadav.
Authorities Pass the Buck as Darkness Persists
In response to inquiries, a PWD official revealed that the road was recently transferred to the Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) last month. However, GMDA officials countered this by stating that their current streetlight works are limited to sectors 58 to 80, and that either MCG or the Haryana Shahari Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP) should be responsible for making the lights functional.
This passing of responsibility has left the area poorly lit, with only sporadic illumination from nearby markets providing minimal visibility. "Since nearby markets have lights, areas surrounding them have some sort of illumination. Barring those areas, this 4km stretch remains poorly lit and unsafe after dark," Rana added, emphasizing that complaints have yielded no tangible action so far.
The ongoing neglect underscores broader issues in urban infrastructure management in Gurgaon, where bureaucratic inefficiencies directly impact public safety. Residents continue to demand urgent intervention to illuminate Bajghera Road and prevent further accidents, calling for accountability and swift resolution from the concerned authorities.
