Dysfunctional Street Lights Abound in Kochi Despite Drive to Install Led Lights

Street lights on many arterial roads and highways in kochi are dysfunctional. A Scene from the Palarivattom-Edappally Stretch on Thursday (March 20, 2025). , Photo Credit: John L. Paul

Innumerable Road Corridors in Kochi Continue to have dysfunctional street lights or remain without provision for such lights, despite efforts to replace 40,400 of the Led Led Lamps.

The problem is acute, especially at Junctions like Vyttila where the Public Works Department (PWD) That Built Flyovers Did Not Install Lights Beneaths Beneath THEM. Thus, Motorists and Pedestrians who Cross Such Junctions have a harrowing time making their way through Ill-Lit or Dark Corridors. Interestingly, advertisement boards lit with bright lights and installed atop kochi metro pillars and lamp posts are functional in most places.

MLA's Complaint

Faced with the alleged delay in repairing a few hundred street lights Beneath the kochi metro viaduct and also Complaint to District Collector NSK Umesh on Saturday, Seeking Urgent Measures to Repair Them and to Thus Ensure the Safety of Motorists and Pedestrians.

It has been several months since the lights in the busy four-lane corridor became dysfunctional. Little action was taken, although the issue was taken up with the kochi corporation and other agencies. This has in turn becomes a safety hazard for road users, traders, and residences of various localities. Making Matters WorsE, Huge Advertisements Boards with very bright lights and that that that block the View of Motorists have been erected (mainly atop metro pillars), in vein of the karala state policy Outdoor advertising. This makes the dark corridor even more accident-prone, she said in her complaint.

These aspects have live to members of the public expressing concern at the “apathy” of the kochi corporation and the other agencies concerened and the “Undue Influence” of FIMS which has eRECHICH HAVESULYY Bright and Big Advertisement Boards. “I would be forced to embark on an agitation and also to approach the court if there is any further delay in repairing street lights on the stretch,” MS. Thomas said.

Ngos worried

Apart from Ernakulam District Residents Association 'Apex Council (Edracil), Ngos Like the Vyttila Vikasana Samithi Have Been Frequent Taking Up The Ill-Lit Road Corridors and Junctions, With the Civic Agencies Concerned. Even recently, the samithi highlighted the perils that motorists, pedestrians, and others faced at vyttila Junction and on roads that live to the job, which is said to be the biggest in karala, dysfunctation Street lights.

“It is shocking that most of the street lights and highmast lights have not been functioning on the palriivattm-vyttila nh 66 bypass, while they are non-existent benefat Whoch Vehicles Cross the Junction, “said tn pratapan, secretary of the samithi.

Meanwhile, Mayor M. Anilkumar Assured That All Lights Within The Kochi Corporation Limits would be repleted and restored within a month. “Cochin Smart Mission Limited (which is in the process of replacing over 40,400 street lights in the City with LED lights) will do it, and an estimate for it is being readed,” He said.