After dark, the lane depends on lights from nearby shops. Once those close, it’s pitch black, chain snatching, robbery, and theft have increased. Pedestrians, especially the elderly, struggle to walk safely-- Surojit Bordoloi, A Resident
It is a little past 9 PM in Ganeshguri, one of Guwahati’s busiest commercial areas. The shops have started pulling down their shutters, street vendors have packed up for the night and the streets start to fall quiet. In the distance, a few headlights flicker as vehicles pass by, their beams the only source of light on a road that should have been illuminated by smart streetlights. The promise of safety is fading into darkness.
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The October 10, 2024 inauguration of Guwahati’s smart streetlight project was supposed to mark a new era of urban security. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had proudly announced the installation of 20,667 smart streetlights across the city at a cost of ₹83.96 crore. The project, launched with much fanfare at Nandi Mikir Primary School, was meant to modernise Guwahati’s infrastructure and curb nighttime crime.
Yet, just months later, many areas remain plunged in darkness, raising serious concerns about safety and governance. Complaints from residents are mounting, as they report non-functional lights, flickering bulbs, and entire stretches of roads left without illumination.
Surojit Bordoloi of R.P. Road, Ganeshguri, has been fighting a long battle for proper streetlights. He and his neighbours have repeatedly requested Guwahati’s smart lighting authority, Guwahati Utilities Company Limited (GUCL), to install lights in their lane. Frustrated by inaction, they submitted a formal application, detailing their grievances.
“Ours is a small locality, hardly a kilometer from the Assam Legislative Assembly,” reads the letter. “This lane, Sankardev Path, connects Dr. R.P. Road to G.S. Road and is frequently used by VVIPs. Despite its strategic importance, it has never had streetlights.”
The letter describes how the lane initially had a single streetlight, which malfunctioned within days. Years ago, Assam State Electricity Board (ASEB) removed it with a promise of replacement—a promise that remains unfulfilled.
“After dark, the lane depends on lights from nearby shops. Once those close, it’s pitch black,” Bordoloi explained to GPlus. “Chain snatching, robbery, and theft have increased. Pedestrians, especially the elderly, struggle to walk safely.”
The request for merely three streetlights to cover the entire lane is a simple one, yet no action has been taken.
The issue is not confined to Ganeshguri. Across Guwahati, complaints about non-functional streetlights have surfaced.
Talking to GPlus, Paridhi, a resident of Kedar Road, Machkhowa said, “It’s been over a year and a half since our streetlights stopped working. GUCL has been unresponsive.”
Nancy Jain, a resident of Phool Bagan, Bharalumukh said, “The streetlights work intermittently. It is very unsafe for women walking home at night.”
A local resident in Dhopolia, Jyotikuchi said, “Some lights have been installed, but many remain non-functional.”
The common theme in these complaints is an increasing sense of insecurity, particularly for women and senior citizens who depend on well-lit streets for safety.
GUCL officials insist that progress is being made. A senior official told GPlus, “As of February 6, 20,657 smart streetlights have been installed, but 789 are awaiting illumination due to pending Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL) meter connections.”
The project’s report, as outlined by GUCL, includes:
• Smart LED lighting systems with Centralized Control and Monitoring System (CCMS) compatibility
• Cloud-based smart panels
• 230 km of Aerial Bunched (AB) cables for electrical supply
• 2,300 smart LED lights, with more arriving soon
Despite this, residents remain skeptical. Delays in GUCL service connections and installation processes have left crucial areas in darkness. The report mentions that work is progressing, but the slow pace has left many questioning whether the project will ever fully deliver on its promises.
As Guwahati’s nights grow darker, the city is witnessing an increase in petty crimes. According to local police sources, cases of chain-snatching, mobile theft, and harassment have surged in poorly lit areas.
Many residents now avoid stepping out at night. “I used to go for evening walks, but now I do not feel safe,” said an elderly woman in Ganeshguri. “The darkness attracts trouble.”
The situation is especially worrisome for women. College students returning home late from coaching centers or night shifts report feeling vulnerable. “There have been incidents where men followed us on bikes,” said a 20 year old student from Bharalumukh. “We need proper streetlights, not just promises.”
Citizens are growing impatient and are demanding urgent action from authorities. “We need an immediate audit of the installed streetlights and quick rectification of non-functional ones,” said a community leader from Machkhowa. “The government needs to understand that public safety is non-negotiable.”
Citizens suggest that an independent monitoring system should be set up to track streetlight functionality.
The city’s smart streetlight project had raised hopes of safer streets, but its faltering implementation has left thousands in darkness. With crime rates rising and public frustration mounting, the government must act swiftly to restore faith in its promises.
The government, however, maintains that progress is being made. Officials from GUCL insist that pending work, including power connections from APDCL, is causing delays. They claim that installation and illumination are being carried out in phases, but residents remain unconvinced. If thousands of streetlights have been installed, why are so many parts of the city still struggling with darkness?
The larger question here is accountability. Who is responsible for ensuring that the project meets its objectives? Is it GUCL, APDCL, or another government agency? If installation has been completed, why have not these lights been connected to power grids efficiently? What measures are being taken to fix the faulty lights that were installed but stopped working within days?
Most importantly, when will Guwahati finally see the light?
Until then, Guwahati’s nights will remain a shadowy reminder of what could have been—a city shining bright, but instead, left in the dark.