THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The ambitious LED streetlight project implemented by the city corporation has come under severe criticism due to alleged lack of timely maintenance and replacement of faulty LED lights.
The civic body has roped in three private agencies for implementing the LED streetlight project in the state capital. However, the agencies are struggling to promptly replace faulty lights, leaving the capital in darkness and raising safety concerns among residents, pedestrians and motorists.
Earlier, the streetlights were managed by the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) and owing to high maintenance cost and electricity bills, the civic body decided to switch over from neon lights to energy-efficient LED lights. Despite strict contractual clauses, the private agencies are struggling to address the complaints related to faulty streetlights. Kowdiar ward councillor Sathi Kumari S said that many of the lights in her ward are lying defunct.
“KSEB officials used to respond immediately when we reported an issue. These agencies are not capable and the residents have been raising complaints. It would be better if the civic body entrusts this responsibility back to KSEB,” said Sathi Kumari, who is one among the many councillors facing similar issues.
There are over 1 lakh streetlights altogether in the hundred wards which fall under three KSEB divisions - Thiruvananthapuram, Kazhakoottam and Neyyattinkara. As per the contract, the private agencies are responsible for replacing or maintaining faulty lights within 48 hours. Works standing committee chairman Medayil Vikraman said that the committee has decided to terminate the contractor in charge of Thiruvananthapuram division. He said that the project has been completed in all three divisions and there is over 50 per cent reduction in bills.
“There are 56 wards under Thiruvananthapuram division and the contractor is unable to fix the lights as per the terms and conditions. We will not be able to give them payment. We have decided to terminate the contractor and invite tenders to find a new agency. We are planning to rope in two contractors to maintain 56 wards,” said Medayil Vikraman.
He said that the project has been completed in the Kazhakootam division. “There are 10 wards in the Neyyattinkara division. Earlier, we used to pay `9 lakh as bills and after introducing LED lights, electricity charges have come down to `3 lakh,” he added.