Dim and faulty street lights on Alagirisamy Salai, Ramaswamy Salai, Lakshmanaswamy Salai, and Annai Main Road in K.K. Nagar have allegedly sparked a range of issues for residents.
As anti-social elements strike under cover of darkness, most residents shy away from using these stretches after nightfall.
“Women are scared of using these roads after sunset,” says S. Srinivasan, a resident of Ramaswamy Salai.
Poor illumination makes motoring difficult at night — residents report accidents on these stretches. These roads are said to be busy and used by MTC buses and heavy vehicles. Residents also complain that poor illumination aggravates the problem of aggressive street dogs, alleged to be one of the major issues in the neighbourhood.
A stretch shrouded in poor visibility adds a new dimension to the risk of being chased by street dogs.
“The authorities concerned have not taken any steps address the issue of poor street lighting,” says S. Srinivasan, a resident of Ramaswamy Salai said.
“Some lights burn. As they are dim, they don’t help,” says K. Kalyani, a resident.
“Emboldened by the darkness, the stray dogs here display chillingly aggressive behaviour at night — it is the time they move about in packs and scavenge for food in garbage heaps. Their combative behaviour is experienced the most by two-wheeler riders and pedestrians. Some of them have been attacked by the dogs,” says Priya Narayanan, a resident of K.K. Nagar.
“Mass sterilisation of dogs is a solution,” says Sivakumar, another resident.
The authorities concerned must take steps to improve lighting on these key stretch and make them safe thoroughfares, residents say.
