In Guwahati, tales of chain snatching and night time chases have become alarmingly common. As dusk falls, the vibrant city transforms into a shadowy maze, leaving residents wary of their surroundings. Despite recent investments in smart street lights designed to illuminate these treacherous paths, many lanes remain shrouded in darkness, amplifying concerns about safety and security.
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On October 10, the city celebrated the inauguration of a smart street lighting project, which promises to enhance public safety and modernise urban infrastructure. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma inaugurated this initiative at Nandi Mikir Primary School, declaring that the installation of 20,667 smart street lights will dramatically improve night time visibility. With a budget of Rs 83.96 crore, the project aims to install 20,667 smart street lights equipped with advanced technology to brighten up dark corners of the city. However, the reality on the ground has left much to be desired. Residents across various neighbourhoods express deep frustration over the inadequate illumination, with many lights flickering or remaining completely dark just weeks after installation.
“Street lights were installed, but they only worked for two days,” a frustrated resident from Panjabari told GPlus.
“Now we are back to navigating dark streets, relying only on the light from shops.” This sentiment is echoed throughout the city, where residents feel abandoned by a system that was supposed to protect them.
In Lachit Nagar, the situation is even more dire. “It’s been years since I have seen the street lights working properly in our neighborhood,” said another resident in Lachit Nagar. “It’s unsafe to walk around at night.” With reports of drug addicts wandering the streets, many locals feel exposed to danger. “They chase people or ask for money, and it is terrifying,” she added, illustrating the fears that have taken root in the community.
The story is similar in Rukminigaon, where residents navigate poorly lit roads every day.
Talking to GPlus, Kangkana Das, a daily commuter in Rukminigaon said, “If you are driving, it is manageable. But walking? It’s a risk,” she explained. The absence of light does more than just create a dim atmosphere; it invites criminal activity and amplifies existing fears. Das recounted an incident where she felt someone following her, prompting her to quicken her pace and look over her shoulder repeatedly.
In theory, the smart street lighting initiative should be a beacon of hope for the city. It was designed to employ a centralised control and monitoring system, allowing for remote operation and real-time adjustments to light intensity. Yet, these promises have yet to translate into the safety that residents desperately seek. “We were promised well-lit streets that would keep us safe,” another local lamented. “Now it feels like we’ve been left in the dark—literally and figuratively.”
Talking to GPlus, a senior official from Guwahati Smart City Limited (GUCL) assured the public that the situation would improve. “We have already commissioned 10,000 street lights, and additional ones will follow soon,” he said. However, this assurance does little to ease the minds of those living in neighbourhoods where darkness prevails. The gap between official statements and on-the-ground realities raises critical questions about accountability and urban planning.
The future of Guwahati’s street lights hangs in the balance, with citizens waiting for the day when their streets will be fully illuminated, restoring not just light, but also a sense of security and peace of mind.
Until then, the darkened streets stand as a reminder of what’s at stake—both for individuals navigating their neighbourhoods and for the city as a whole.