Bengaluru's Streetlight Woes Continue Despite Minister's Quick Fix

Bengaluru's streetlight problem is far from over, even after a minister's intervention. On August 30, Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda revealed that 140 of 222 streetlights on a key route between Hudson Circle and Chalukya Circle were not working. He called it a "failure of responsibility and accountability" and promised action. By September 3, the lights on that stretch were repaired, and disciplinary measures were taken against officials.

However, a ground check shows that darkness still prevails in many parts of the city. Cunningham Road, an upscale area, relies heavily on showroom lights as its streetlights remain non-functional. Similarly, the stretch near Cantonment Railway Station is poorly lit, with several lights out of order.

Even the area around Housing Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan's residence at Bamboo Bazaar is completely dark. Residents describe the situation as unsafe. Kumar, a local, said that in darkness, drug addicts gather and it is dangerous for women's safety. He noted that even in Kasturi Nagar, lights were fixed only after he filed a complaint with BESCOM.

Manjunath, another resident, pointed out that civic officials are responsible for the problem. He said that robbery and accidents occur in darkness, and despite technological advances in 2026, the city still struggles with basic lighting. He appreciated the minister's work but urged him to focus on more areas.

While the minister's action fixed one stretch, the broader issue remains. From MG Road to residential neighborhoods, non-functional streetlights continue to compromise safety and accountability across Bengaluru.