The busy area around Gandhipuram Town Bus Stand in the heart of Coimbatore city remains dark at night due to the absence of street lights.
The public, shopkeepers and police have been demanding the retrofitting of the city’s first high-mast light at Nellai Lala Junction, which was removed for the construction of the first level of the Gandhipuram flyover, work for which began in 2014.
Although the first level of the two-tier flyover from Nanjappa Road near Park Gate Junction to Satyamangalam Road near Omni Bus Stand was opened for use in October 2017, the high-mast light was not re-installed.
Police sources said that due to the absence of lights at night, anti-social activities are being seen in the areas around the town bus stand.
“Though the police had highlighted the issues and requested for re-installation of high-mast lights in the meetings of the District Road Safety Committee, but to no avail. The Coimbatore Corporation and the Highways Department should jointly work together to re-install the high-mast lights,” said K.K. of Coimbatore Consumer Cause. Kathirmathion said.
Autorickshaw driver KS Murugesan, who parked his vehicle at the auto stand behind the bus stand on Bharathiyar Road, said various stakeholders including drivers, shopkeepers and the public had been demanding retrofitting of the high-mast lights since 2017. inauguration of flyover
“There is no security for women at night because there is no light. Anti-social elements roam around at night,” said Mr Murugesan, who has been driving his autorickshaw from the stand for the last 15 years. He said that even in the Omni Bus Stand area, there is a lack of illumination at night.
Another autorickshaw driver C. Devraj said that the pole of the removed highmast light is lying on the side of the road for the last few years. “Street lights are also not working properly in the area. The solar powered light installed behind the bus stand is also faulty.”
A seller S. Ramesh said that if the authorities do not plan to retrofit the high-mast lights, they should install more street lights.
Coimbatore Corporation Deputy Commissioner M Sharmila said the civic body would look into the issue.