New contact numbers to lodge complaints about street lights

For the benefit of the citizens, the Corporation of Madurai has released a set of mobile numbers through which, residents could directly contact and lodge complaints of non-functioning of street lights.

Commissioner C. Kathiravan, who reviewed the functioning of the street lights with the senior engineers and officers here on Tuesday, had initiated the proposal to issue mobile numbers to the respective zone-wise officers.

Presently, public complained about the non-functioning of street lights through online facility and at grievance meetings.

In a step, which could swiftly redress the grievance, the Commissioner had released a set of mobile numbers and ward-wise residents and residential welfare associations shall register their complaints.

An official in the street light division said that there are 46,000 street lights in the 100 wards. “As of now, 95 per cent of the street lights are working…We have to achieve 98 per cent, which is considered efficient,” he said, and hoped that direct contact with the officers concerned would redress the grievance faster for the residents and general public.

Asked, how long it would normally take to replace a worn out bulb, the official, said as and when the complaints are received, we hope to complete it the same day. It would be done within 24 hours. There is no shortage of bulbs and all the zones have sufficient numbers.

Whenever, there is fluctuation in voltage or sudden tripping of power, the bulbs become non-functional, he clarified.