Mumbai: Dark spots to fade away for motorists, pedestrians at Bandra Reclamation

Motorists using the Bandra Reclamation stretch to reach the Bandra-Worli Sea Link will no longer have to drive in the dark due to non-functional streetlights.

Non-operational streetlights at Reclamation leave both motorists and pedestrians facing an increased risk of accidents. File pic for representation

The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has decided to appoint a new contractor for annual maintenance of streetlights over the Mahim interchange at the reclamation. The contract will be worth Rs 81 lakh.

"MSRDC intends to take up work of annual electrical maintenance of streetlight poles provided over Mahim interchange and its ramps. We have bidders to participate in the bidding process and the winner will be selected through a competitive process.

The total cost is estimated at Rs 81,33,028 for a 12-month duration," said an MSRDC official. On September 18, 2014, mid-day had reported (‘Blackout near Sea Link as copper wires connected to streetlights stolen') how local police officials accused slum dwellers and druggies from nearby areas of stealing copper wires and bulbs from street lamps, resulting in pitch-dark streets.

This, they said, exposed pedestrians to accidents while crossing the road. Though the MSRDC has been undertaking periodical maintenance work for the last two years, the problem persists. Keeping this in mind, the new contractor is likely to deploy security guards to prevent wire and bulb thefts, a source from MSRDC told mid-day.