Govt starts ‘dark spots’ illumination work

Fulfilling one of its major poll promises of illuminating dark spots as a step to ensure women’s security in the city, the Delhi government on Saturday launched a project to illuminate 7,438 dark sports falling in North and East MCD areas. The Delhi government has set a target to complete the project before March 31. 

The work will be conducted by the Public Works Department of the Delhi Government and the NGO Safetipin has been asked to conduct an audit and report to the government. “We will consider the lighting of dark spots to be done only after the Safetipin audit endorses that the work has been satisfactorily done,” said Satyendar Jain, Minister for PWD in the Delhi government after inaugurating the project. 

These dark spots were identified by the NGO and the report was submitted to the Delhi Police for their illumination. “PWD has already obtained No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from North and East MCDs for the dark spots falling in their respective jurisdictions,” added the minister. He further added that South MCD has not provided NOC, so the work of illuminating dark spots could not be taken up in South Delhi area. 

“Earlier, PWD areas were illuminated and the audit was done by Saftipin, which reported to the department that dark spots had been illuminated. This time also the project will be considered complete after satisfaction of the NGO,” said Jain. 

He also expressed hope that the South MCD will also expedite the process of granting a NOC to the PWD so that lighting of dark spots across Delhi could be completed at the earliest. The minister invited suggestions from all stakeholders on how the government could take further steps to make Delhi safe for women.  

Responding on the issue of South MCD not giving the NOC to PWD, the spokesperson of the Corporation said: “We have identified 4,800 dark sports in our jurisdiction. These spots have been grouped ward-wise and work order has already been issued. The concerned Councilors of the wards have been given responsibility to verify the illumination by LED lights.” 

He further added that South MCD is capable enough to take up the project on its own. “We have replaced 1.98 lakh streetlights with LED lights in our area and we shall complete this project as well,” he asserted. The project to replace streetlights in South MCD with LED lights was started on December 25, 2014.