Thiruvananthapuram Mayor blames govt. agencies for non-functioning streetlights

Even as the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation faces criticism over non-functioning street lights in various parts of the capital city, V.V.Rajesh sought to place the blame at the doorstep of various State government agencies.

Addressing a press conference here on Monday, he said that a majority of the non-functioning lights are being maintained by agencies such as the Kerala Road Fund Board (KRFB) or the Tourism department. However, he admitted that some of the streetlights maintained by the Corporation also have not been functioning.

Mr.Rajesh said that the Corporation maintains around 97,000 streetlights, while the KRFB maintains around 2,000 streetlights, especially the lights put up on the medians of the main road from Vazhayila to Vellayambalam, the Vellayambalam-Thampanoor smart road as well as the road from airport to Palayam. Some of the lights maintained by the Tourism department near the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple and at the Shanghumukhom Beach are also not working,

“The Corporation’s streetlights are maintained by three companies as per a contract signed by the previous administration. According to the terms of the contract, a fine can be imposed on the companies if any light remains non-functioning for more than 48 hours. We understand that there have been failures in some places. Last day, we had a meeting with the monitoring team and sought the details of the streetlights which remained non-functional for over 48 hours,” said Mr.Rajesh.

When asked about the drinking water crisis in several areas in the city, he said that the major responsibility lies with the Kerala Water Authority (KWA). The Corporation has been working within its limitations and using its own funds to deliver drinking water in water tankers. Only a joint initiative of the Union and State governments can find a permanent solution to the issue, he said.

Regarding waste management issues and pre-monsoon cleaning activities, he said that only 20-30% of the drains in the city are fully under the Corporation’s control, while the rest are with the various departments. The Corporation had taken steps to allocate sufficient funds to the wards ahead of the Assembly elections. He lashed out at General Education Minister V.Sivankutty, who had on Sunday accused the Corporation of failing in its waste management responsibilities. Mr.Rajesh said that Mr.Sivankutty or the Left Democratic Front had failed to find a lasting solution for waste management issues in the city despite being in positions of power for several years.