Electricity bills pose challenge as timer faults keep street lights on during daytime

PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Dehradun

The Municipal Corporation of Dehradun (MCD) has pending electricity dues of about Rs three crore as street lights continue to remain switched on during daytime at several locations across the city. The MCD’s light inspector Ranjeet Rana said that the timer-related faults have been detected at multiple locations across the city. He said that the repair work is being carried out in phases to restore normal functioning.

The issue has put the city’s street lighting system under scrutiny, especially as the MCD is already burdened with electricity dues amounting to crores of rupees. Despite this, lights continue to remain switched on during daytime in various areas. At key stretches such as Balliwala flyover, Mohkampur flyover and the Jakhan–Rajpur Road, street lights have been seen operating from morning till afternoon, raising concerns over unnecessary power consumption.

The expenditure on street lighting is directly linked to public funds and excess usage could increase the financial burden on taxpayers.  Municipal authorities have assured that faulty timer systems will be repaired soon, but concerns remain over how quickly the issue will be fully resolved.