Udupi: Opposition members in the CMC raised the issue of irregular functioning of street lights and that the city is in the dark for the past one month, the issue created a disturbed situation.
Raising the issue at the general body meeting here on Friday, CMC Councilor Yashpal Suvarna said the streetlights are always off and the streets in the city are dark.
Member Mahesh Takur alleged that nearly 75 percent of the 16,442 streetlights are not functioning. Officials are offering flimsy excuses. He demanded clarification over the irregularity and held the Congress-led administration responsible for all the problems. He said that the development is nil.
Member Shyamprasad Kudwa said that the Car Street surrounding the temple is also dark without the lights. Member Naveen Bhandari inquired over the maintenance amount paid to the company in charge of the streetlights. Members demanded clarification on initiating action by the administration against the contractor.
CMC Commissioner Janardhan said that there are technical issues concerning the tendering process. He added that tender is called and the notice is served to the earlier contractor so that he will not take part in the tendering process. His term ended on March 2018.
The commissioner said a company can be blacklisted only if 850 online complaints are received against the contractor as there are 17,000 street lights. Members later unanimously agreed that there is no requirement of tube lights although the maintenance cost is equal and that it should be replaced by LED lights everywhere.
