700 Streetlights Remain Non-Functional on Container Terminal Road

Rapid Summary

• A 10-km stretch between Cheranalloor Junction and Bolghatty Junction on Container Terminal Road (NH 966 A) lacks functioning streetlights due to power supply issues.
• Out of over 1,000 installed streetlights, only the section between Cheranalloor Junction and Kalamassery is operational; charging the remaining lights requires six transformers, but only two are functional.
• Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) states no formal request has been received for new transformer installations despite contractor claims of submitting a request.
• Container Terminal Road has been without streetlights since its inception in 2015, despite redevelopment under a ₹130-crore project.
• The lack of streetlights contributes to accidents-including fatal ones-waste dumping, and alleged anti-social activities on the road’s unlit stretches.
• Delays stem from disagreements over who would bear electricity costs or install infrastructure; some local leaders have criticized toll collection before ensuring basic amenities.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The prolonged absence of functioning streetlights on such a meaningful route highlights several systemic challenges,particularly coordination failures among stakeholders-local bodies,contractors,Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB),and the National Highways Authority of India. While efforts to install lights as part of larger redevelopment indicate progress after years of neglect, unresolved technicalities like transformer overloads seem emblematic of broader inefficiencies within infrastructure planning.

From a safety viewpoint, prioritizing basic amenities such as adequate lighting could mitigate both traffic hazards and incidents tied to poor visibility. Additionally, residents’ frustrations with delayed amenity installation post-toll imposition underscore equity concerns in urban infrastructure deployment. Addressing these logistical bottlenecks swiftly can set an important precedent for future development projects requiring multi-agency collaboration.

Read more: The Hindu
(Image Credit: R.K. Nithin)