Dark stretches in B'luru pose safety hazard Drivers, pedestrians at risk for motorists, pedestrians & cyclists

Sowmya Raju | NT

Bengaluru: Hosur Road, a vital thoroughfare in Bengaluru connecting key roads like Old Madras Road, Mysore Road, and Bannerghatta Road, faces a critical safety issue due to the absence of street lighting in certain areas, especially near Nexus Mall and the Industrial Layout road.

This lack of illumination poses significant risks to motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists alike. For drivers, navigating this unlit stretch becomes perilous, as they struggle to spot potential hazards like potholes, pedestrians, and cyclists, particularly during nighttime journeys.

This increased risk of accidents is exacerbated by some drivers lacking functioning headlights or inappropriately using high beams, affecting visibility.

The challenges in maintaining street lighting in the city are further compounded by the absence of a proper monitoring system. Often, repairs remain pending until residents lodge complaints.

Even when repair teams respond, they encounter issues with obsolete sodium vapour lamps for which spare parts are scarce. Newer LED lamps, not covered by regular maintenance contracts, require specialised vendors for servicing.

The absence of adequate street lighting also poses a substantial safety concern, especially for women walking alone at night. Poorly lit areas are more susceptible to criminal activities, as indicated by a 2020 study by the Bengaluru Traffic Police, which found that 58% of sexual assaults occurred in areas with inadequate lighting.

Additionally, the darkened bus stop on Hosur Road adds to passengers' discomfort, particularly for women who may feel unsafe while waiting for buses after sunset.

Addressing the deficiency of street lighting on Hosur Road is crucial for enhancing safety and accessibility, reducing accidents, and ensuring the well-being of the city's residents, especially women.

A comprehensive approach involving improved monitoring systems and modern lighting solutions is necessary to tackle this pressing issue.

Drivers, pedestrians at risk

A girl who takes the bus after work said, “I stand at the bus stop at least for 20 minutes around 8:30 to 9:00. There are no street lights and the bus stop is also not lit. I keep chanting prayers to myself until I get inside the bus.”

Riders told News Trail that the wide road encouraged them to ride fast, but they often had to brake suddenly to avoid pedestrians and animals. This is a hazard for riders and pedestrians alike.

The dark, tree-lined road lacks street lights, endangering drivers. Closed institutes worsen visibility, relying on passing headlights. Pedestrians and cyclists are at risk, especially two-wheelers. Speeding adds danger.

Authorities must install lights, and signs, and enforce speed limits for safety. V K Srivatsa added that the most critical issue is the quality of the timers used to control the lights.

He explained that a maximum of 16 lights can be connected to one timer, but alleged that the BBMP contractors connect more than 16 lights to one timer leading to it getting burnt and exhausted.

He then said, “When a timer burnt within warranty they have to replace but no one enforces it as the contractors or the BBMP usually turn a blind eye.”