Lack of streetlights raises safety concerns among residents across Jaipur

Jaipur: Residents across several Jaipur localities, including Jhotwara Industrial Area, Haldighati Marg in Pratap Nagar, Hasanpura Army Area, Jagatpura and Devi Marg in Banipark, have raised concerns over inadequate street lighting, saying dark roads after sunset are making daily travel unsafe.Residents said many stretches remain poorly lit or completely dark at night, increasing the risk of accidents on damaged roads and pothole-ridden lanes. Commuters said that visibility drops sharply after evening hours, turning travel stressful, particularly for two-wheeler riders and pedestrians.Anjali Sharma, a resident of Jagatpura, said potholes have become nearly impossible to detect in the absence of streetlights. “Even if someone is driving carefully and on the correct side of the road, accidents can still happen because potholes are not visible at night.”In Pratap Nagar’s Haldighati Marg area, residents have also raised security worries. Bhupendra Singh said the road becomes deserted and extremely dark after sunset. “Without streetlights, the entire stretch feels unsafe and uncomfortable, especially at night,” he said.Residents said women returning from offices, coaching centres and workplaces during evening hours are among the worst affected, as poorly lit roads increase anxiety around personal safety.Locals also pointed out that stray animals, particularly black-coloured cows sitting or roaming on roads, are difficult to spot in the dark, leading to accidents and injuries.Pradeep Sharma, executive engineer for light at Jaipur Municipal Corporation (JMC) said, “We have received complaints for faulty streetlights from different localities and they are being addressed regularly. The tender process for installation of new streetlightsacross the city is underway.”