City corporation promises a fully-lit city

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Even as the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) attributes unlit city streets to delay in supply of lamps by the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, the latter has promised a fully lit city by Onam and Ramzan this year.The promise comes in the wake of the Kerala State Industrial Enterprises (KSIE) beginning supply of lamps to the Corporation after reneging on deadlines. On Saturday, Mayor K Chandrika, a long-time staffer of the KSEB herself, convened a meeting of KSEB and Corporation officials on the issue and said that the complaints regarding street lamps will be laid to rest by the upcoming ‘Karkidakavavu’, Ramzan and Onam festivals.‘’The KSIE has begun the supply of lamps and we have already supplied enough lamps to the electrical sections concerned for the Karkidakavavu observance at Thiruvallom and Shangumugham,’’ Chandrika told City Express. Karkidakavavu, attended by thousands at the both locations, falls on July 30. ‘’The distribution of lamps to the remaining electrical sections will begin on Monday,’’ she said.  Last week, the LDF councillors of the Corporation had laid a siege to the KSIE office protesting against the delay in the supply of lamps. Following this, the KSIE had agreed to supply the first batch of lamps by last Wednesday. The supply has begun in batches, putting an end to the impasse, according to the Mayor. Over the past few months, there have been numerous complaints from across the city that many streets remain in darkness after sundown owing to defunct street lights.At Saturday’s meeting, the Corporation urged the KSEB to strengthen maintenance and monitoring of street lights in the capital city. According to the Mayor, the Corporation pays the KSEB Rs 50 lakh every two months towards the electricity bill for street lights. The meeting also decided to urge Electricity Minister Aryadan Mohammed to convene a meeting of the Mayor, KSEB Chairman, chairmen of the various standing committees of the Corporation, KSEB Chief Engineer and parliamentary party leaders in the Corporation council to discuss the issue.  Corporation Works Committee chairman V S Padmakumar presided over the function. Deputy Mayor G Happykumar and other officials were present.