Streetlight Neglect: Electricity Department Warned, Municipality on the Brink of Protest

Municipal Council Expresses Grave Concern Over Streetlight Malfunctions

The street lighting system in Guna city has reportedly collapsed, prompting the Municipal Council to express serious concern over the Electricity Department's lack of attention to the issue. Municipal President Savita Arvind Gupta has issued a stern warning, stating that if the Electricity Department does not implement immediate improvements, the council will be forced to initiate public interest protests.

Monthly Payments for Inadequate Service

The Municipal Council pays approximately INR 2 Lakhs per month to the Electricity Department for the maintenance, operation, and repair of streetlights. Despite the publication of harrowing news regarding funerals being conducted in darkness at city crematoriums, there has been no improvement from the Electricity Department.

Repeated Ignored Notifications

Municipal President Savita Arvind Gupta stated that she has personally and formally alerted the Electricity Department multiple times, but no effective action has been taken. Official letters, including No. 1441/26 dated May 18, 2026, and further notifications on August 18 and 19, 2026, via WhatsApp groups, have gone unheeded.

Crematoriums Plunged into Darkness

Specifically, the lights at Ashoknagar Road Matupura (Marghat Shala) and Shri Ram Muktidham have remained non-functional due to faults, causing citizens the distress of performing last rites for their loved ones in complete darkness.

Indifference and Payment Discrepancy Highlighted

Savita Arvind Gupta clarified that the responsibility for timely operation, shutting off, and repairing streetlights lies directly with the Electricity Department's personnel. The municipality is fulfilling its obligation by paying INR 191,476 per month as per the Electricity Department's demand, yet the lights are neither operated on time nor repaired promptly when faults occur. This not only inconveniences citizens but also tarnishes the image of the Municipal Council.

Restored System Now Deteriorating

This system was established following a joint meeting with the former General Manager of M.P. Madhya Kshetra Vidyut Vitran Company Limited, Guna. A WhatsApp group was created for timely operation and swift resolution of faults, intended for joint monitoring by both departments. While this arrangement initially brought improvements, the Electricity Department's attention has waned in recent months, leading to a resurgence of problems.

Unanswered Complaints on WhatsApp Group

Currently, even daily complaints lodged by the municipality on the WhatsApp group are not being resolved in a timely manner. Fuse or phase faults occurring at night are not being repaired promptly. This leaves critical locations like crematoriums in prolonged darkness.

Improper Installation and Neglect Worsen the Situation

The president also pointed out that during the shifting of electric poles and lines, street light fittings are either not being reinstalled properly or are not restored immediately, further exacerbating the system's decay.

Demand for Action and Threat of Protest

The Municipal President has demanded that the Electricity Department ensure streetlights are operated on time, resolve daily WhatsApp group complaints immediately, fix night-time faults promptly, and take strict action against negligent employees/contractors, informing the council office. She also expects assurance that such negligence will not recur.

Inclusion of Councilors in Communication

Furthermore, she has urged for the inclusion of respected Municipal Councilors in the street light WhatsApp group to ensure direct and immediate access to information regarding line faults.

Ultimatum Issued for Improvement

Savita Arvind Gupta stated that if the Electricity Department does not address these demands immediately, the Municipal Council, along with all its councilors, will be compelled to launch a widespread protest to secure a better and safer lighting system for the city's residents. An immediate response and corrective action are required from the Electricity Department.