Streetlights defunct at Siddique Colony of Lal Bazar

Srinagar, Feb 9: Street lights at Siddique Colony, Daggakadal area of Lal Bazar continue to remain defunct following installation of smart meters in the locality.

Suhail Ahmad, a resident of the area, said that streetlights in the colony continue to remain defunct ever since smart meters were installed in the locality.

“Our residential colony has been waiting for streetlights to be operational again ever since the installation of smart meters in our colony. Time and again, we brought up the issue with the concerned authorities but to no avail,” he said.

The absence of streetlights is posing a problem, particularly for the people who have to move out in the evening in case of emergencies or for offering Isha and Magrib prayers.

“The elderly people are the worst affected,” said an octogenarian Abdul Gaffar Bhat. “The residents brought up the issue to the notice of the concerned authorities but all our pleas have fallen on deaf ears.”

Muneer Ahmad, a local, said that the residents had approached both the Power Development Department (PDD) as well as the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) for fixing the issue of streetlights in the area but both dragged their feet over the issue.

“We appeal to the concerned authorities to fix the issue and have a dedicated connection for lighting up these streetlights. Otherwise what is the fun of having street lights on electricity poles,” he said. “It is ironic that no steps have been taken to fix this problem of defunct streetlights in our area. The authorities should seriously look into this issue and fix the issue of defunct streetlights in our area at the earliest.”