Gadwal residents are facing darkness in several areas as streetlights have been out of service for days. Poor upkeep and slow repairs are causing frustration and fear, especially after heavy rains made road conditions worse.
In Bhimnagar and other wards, streetlights have been broken for days. Residents say municipal staff have repeatedly promised repairs, but nothing has been done. They claim they’ve been told that either new lights are unavailable or the broken ones are being fixed and will be replaced “soon.”
Heavy rains have left roads with potholes and stagnant water, making them dangerous. Cattle often wander the streets, and without streetlights, it’s unsafe to walk or drive at night. Many fear accidents or other incidents in these dark areas.
People used to rely on elected municipal representatives to address these issues. However, since the municipal council’s term ended, there’s no one directly responsible. “We file complaints, but nothing changes. Officials just talk about a lack of funds or delay repairs,” a resident said.
The former municipal commissioner, Dasharath, was criticized for ignoring the problem. Now, residents hope the new commissioner, Janakiram Sagar, will tackle these issues and bring improvements.
For now, Gadwal’s people continue to deal with pothole-filled roads, dark streets, and an unresponsive administration.
