Solan Ward Watch - Raboun Anji: Streetlights installed on national highway, but no power connection yet

Ambika Sharma

Solan,February 26

Streetlights installed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) on the Solan-Shimla National Highway in Raboun Anji and other nearby wards are yet to get a power connection.

The streetlights were installed for the convenience of residents after repeated requests by the local civic authorities to the NHAI. Several residential areas like Housing Board, Surya Vihar, Vashisht Colony, Rabon, etc., are situated along the road. The ward also has rural areas like Anji and Samlech.

“The NHAI had installed these streetlights after a resolution was passed in the Municipal Corporation as the residents faced inconvenience while commuting in the evening and at night,” said Rajeev Kaura, Councillor and former Solan MC Deputy Mayor.

He lamented that the lights had been rendered useless as even months after installation, they are without power.

The NHAI had initially stated that installing streetlights did not fall in their scope and it involved an expenditure worth crores of rupees, but they finally agreed to it for public welfare.

The NHAI is supposed to sign an agreement with the officials of the HP State Electricity Board Limited to get a power connection.

The non-functional streetlights have become a cause of concern for the residents of Raboun Anji ward as they face numerous problems while commuting in the dark.

The area has shops of motor mechanics, kiosks, dhabas and the road also leads to various housing colonies. “Women who use the highway to commuting in the evening fear to take the road in the dark. They often come across people consuming liquor in their vehicles. All this makes the road unsafe for women,” observed Usha, a local.

Children who take tuitions in the evening or have to visit market for fetching household goods fear venturing in the dark.

The roadside eateries also affect traffic movement.