Madurai, a city in the southern parts of the state, continues to suffer from inadequate lighting on its roads despite the Madurai Corporation’s expenditure of INR 347.83 crore over the past two years for the installation of LED lights. State Municipal Administration Minister K.N. Nehru revealed this information, highlighting the discrepancy between the significant investment and the city’s persistently poorly lit streets. Commuters are facing difficulties traveling after sunset due to either insufficient numbers of lights or the dimly lit LED lights already installed. The absence of lighting on wide roads, particularly in the medians, exacerbates the problem, making nighttime travel unsafe and perilous.
The situation on some important roads in Madurai is indicative of the city’s lighting woes. The Vaigai river bank road, Pandi Kovil junction, and outer Ring Road, among others, remain shrouded in darkness. The river bank road, intended to divert traffic from interior city roads, sees limited usage due to the lack of proper lighting. Many of the vintage lights installed by the corporation to beautify the Vaigai river bank road are either dim or non-functional. “Accidents are happening near Pandi Kovil Junction as there are fewer lights,” expressed S. Dhanraj, a councilor representing Ward 9.
Commuters compare the inadequately lit roads of Madurai unfavorably to those in neighboring districts such as Trichy and Thanjavur. They find these cities’ streets to be better illuminated, even during their return to Madurai in the evening. Entry points to the city from other districts, including Viraganoor Ring Road, Dindigul Bypass Road, and Theni Highway Road, suffer from inadequate lighting as well. Commuters suggest that the corporation relocate the LED lights from these wider roads to the medians to improve illumination.
State Highway norms dictate that LED lights can be placed at the center of the median for roads wider than 13 meters. Despite several arterial roads in Madurai being wider than the specified width, they remain improperly lit. Arasaradi Kalavasal Road, New Jail Road, Bypass Paravai Road, Kochadai Road, TPK Road, and Mattuthavani to Pandi Kovil Road are examples of wider roads without median lighting.
Councillors have also voiced numerous complaints regarding street lighting on interior roads in various areas. K. Shanmugavalli, a councillor representing Ward 45, highlighted the inadequately lit streets in Kamarajapuram and surrounding areas, emphasizing the safety concerns for women commuting at night, which ultimately affects the city’s nightlife.
In response to the ongoing issues, the corporation has recently released a tender for the installation of LED lights in core areas at a cost of INR 5 crore, along with additional areas costing INR 8 crore.
Data from the civic body’s online complaint cell reveals that LED light repairs rank second, following sewerage block complaints, in terms of the number of complaints received. Corporation officials stated that approximately 7,000 complaints regarding lighting issues have been filed in the last six months, and most of them have been addressed and resolved.
The persisting lighting problems on Madurai’s roads raise concerns about public safety and the overall well-being of the city’s residents. Efforts should be made to rectify the existing deficiencies and ensure proper illumination for enhanced road safety and improved travel experiences in Madurai.