Bengaluru Minister Orders Action Against Officials Over Streetlight Failure

Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda has directed the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) to take disciplinary action against officials found responsible for failing to maintain streetlights on a major road in central Bengaluru.

The directive follows an inspection of the stretch between Hudson Circle and Chalukya Circle on August 28, which revealed that only 82 of the 222 streetlight poles were functional. The minister personally reviewed the stretch after receiving reports of the issue.

In a letter to GBA Chief Commissioner M. Maheshwar Rao, Mr. Gowda noted that the authority had already held two meetings on streetlight maintenance. At a meeting on August 4, officials and contractors were explicitly instructed to rectify shortcomings and ensure no lapses in upkeep. Despite these clear directions, the large number of non-functional lights indicated a failure in maintenance.

The minister highlighted the importance of the road, noting that it connects to Kempegowda Bus Station, runs alongside the court complex and the residence of the Chief Justice of the High Court, and is used by hundreds of vehicles every minute.

Mr. Gowda has now instructed the commissioner to initiate disciplinary proceedings against officials who failed to discharge their duties and did not comply with the earlier instructions.