Govt begins rectification of unsafe lamp post installations on PMG-Palayam Road

Thiruvananthapuram: After drawing sharp criticism from commuters and widespread attention on social media, state govt finally initiated corrective measures to address the unscientific installation of decorative streetlights and lamp posts along the busy PMG-Palayam Road.The issue raised serious safety concerns as several lamp post basements were found jutting onto the carriageway, reducing road space and posing a hazard to motorists. The stretch, which sees heavy daily traffic and passes the prominent Legislative Assembly complex, became particularly risky for two-wheeler riders and buses navigating the narrow lanes. Following public outcry, authorities stepped in to fix the problem. Rectification work is currently under way, with crews widening the central median to properly accommodate the lamp post foundations. Portions of the concrete base that extended into the road are being chiselled out to ensure that no part of the structure obstructs vehicular movement. However, the concrete basement of a high-mast lamp is still exposed to the road. The lights were installed using the MLA fund of V K Prasanth. A total of 24 decorative streetlights and one high-mast lamp were installed last month. According to Prasanth, the issue was resolved and the rectification is being done. Officials said the error occurred due to improper alignment during the initial installation phase. The decorative street lighting project, especially the installations in front of the assembly complex, was intended to enhance the city's aesthetics but ended up compromising safety standards. PWD sources confirmed that the corrections are being carried out on a priority basis, acknowledging that the earlier execution did not fully comply with road safety norms. Temporary warning signs and barricades have also been placed to guide motorists during the ongoing work. However, questions remain about the lack of oversight that allowed such a lapse in a high-profile and high-security area. Road safety experts reiterated the importance of strict adherence to established guidelines in urban infrastructure projects, especially on high-density corridors like PMG-Palayam. The streetlights were installed at a cost of Rs 31.6 lakh.