Rawalpindi streetlights ablaze even during daytime

Even though Rawalpindi streetlights have changed the night sky, with many lampposts at a time, but the pointless energy waste to see streetlights in full blaze even after daylight should be prevented at a time when energy crisis is yet to be overcome and unscheduled power load shedding still refuses to go away.

“It seems nobody has control over the functioning of street lights. If it is due to faulty automatic switches that have to cut off the lights during the day, they must be changed. It is the duty of the officials-in-charge to ensure that all street lights and switches are maintained properly,” says Ali Reza from Saidpur Road.

“Streetlights in our area often remain on during daytime. Same is the case in many other parts of the city. Periodic checks must happen as huge amount of tax payers’ money is getting wasted. It is the responsibility of the authorities to take steps to prevent waste of energy unnecessarily,” adds Ali.

“Rawalpindi’s streetlights were part of an aging infrastructure, just like city’s bridges and roadways. We extend thanks to the concerned authorities for the replacement of street lighting at least in our area, which once just had silhouettes in the dark. The network should be extended to the areas where it is long overdue, if it is affordable within the current budget,” says Humaira Mehdi from Asghar Mall.

“On a windy day streetlights in the entire neighbourhoods in many areas of the city get switched off in an instant. The patchwork electrical grid often leaves one side of the street in darkness while those on the opposite side have lights on even during the day,” says Zainab Hayat from Joharabad, Murree Road.

Murad Ali from Liaquat Road says: “Colourful streetlights installed across Airport Road are perhaps due to its status as VIP road.  I have seen some of them non-functional during the night. Isn’t it strange? This may not be a big issue. But the biggest issue is that some poor streets in the city don't have even one functional street lamp.”

“Some of the street lamps, which are in the working condition, are usually found on even during the day time. I wonder, what can be done to wake up the concerned authority which does not bother to switch off the lights even during day time? Still we haven’t lost all hope that things will improve on this front," says Shakir Hussain from Waris Khan.

Qaim Naqvi from Committee Chowk says, “While the electricity department, with greater than before tariff rates, voices concern about the power shortfall and the resultant load shedding, it should turn its eye towards this power wastage in daytime. The poor consumer is trying his best to curtail consumption; the city fathers seem to have a lax attitude. They should impose checks on staff deputed for switching off streetlights and have an eye for nabbing persons, who neglect duty.”

“Most of the streetlamps didn't work properly in my area and the residents had to face a lot of difficulties on walk or bike. With damaged and potholed road, the lack of streetlight escalated woes of the commuters. Thanks to city fathers, commuting after sunset is not a risky affair now,” says Riaz Hussain from Teli Mohallah.

“On Friday while going for Friday congregational prayers passing through the street I saw streetlights on.  Such power wastage needs to be curbed,” says Rajab Ali from Dhoke Gulshan Dadun Khan.