Bengaluru Central Corporation Fines Effilume, Esmart ₹27.79 Lakh Over Streetlight Maintenance Lapses
Bengaluru: Two streetlight maintenance contractors have been fined a combined ₹27,79,307 by Bengaluru Central City Corporation, with Commissioner G. Jagadeesh directing officials to identify unlit stretches through night inspections and track public complaints until repairs are completed.
The penalties comprise ₹21,35,125 imposed on Effilume Pvt. Ltd. and ₹6,44,182 on Esmart Energy Solutions for maintenance lapses under the terms of their contracts, according to the corporation’s press release dated September 26.
The amounts represent penalties imposed in multiple rounds between August 31 and September 22, rather than a single fine issued on the date of the announcement.
Jagadeesh said he and Additional Commissioner for Development R. Venkatachalapathi had inspected major roads and other locations within the corporation’s jurisdiction at night during the previous week, following directions from Minister Krishna Byre Gowda.
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The inspections identified streetlights that were not functioning. Officials and the contractors concerned were instructed to undertake immediate repairs to ensure adequate lighting, public safety and smooth movement of traffic.
The commissioner said maintenance shortcomings had persisted despite strict instructions and that penalties had been imposed in accordance with the contractual provisions.
Effilume Pvt. Ltd. was fined ₹1 lakh and ₹2,00,292 in two separate amounts on August 31. Further penalties of ₹8,46,846 on September 16 and ₹9,87,987 on September 22 brought the company’s cumulative penalty to ₹21,35,125.
Esmart Energy Solutions was fined ₹3,02,841 on September 19 and ₹3,41,341 on September 22, taking its total to ₹6,44,182.
Alongside the financial penalties, the commissioner directed officials and contractors to eliminate dark spots caused by non-functional streetlights. Faulty lights must be identified and repaired promptly so that areas within Bengaluru Central City Corporation limits are not left without adequate illumination, he said.
Night inspections are to receive greater attention to establish the actual condition of the lighting network. Officials were instructed to check streetlights on main roads, secondary roads and ward-level roads, and initiate action at the location wherever faults are detected.
The directions also require closer follow-up on complaints from residents. Streetlight complaints must not be left pending, and officials must inspect the locations concerned and arrange prompt repairs.
Monitoring should continue from the receipt of a complaint until the repair work is completed, the commissioner instructed. The emphasis is therefore on following a reported fault through to its resolution rather than allowing complaints to remain unattended.
The corporation said contractors were responsible for maintaining streetlights properly and preventing inconvenience to the public. It would continue imposing penalties on contractors found neglecting those obligations.
Jagadeesh warned that further maintenance lapses, delays in repairs or negligence would attract strict action, including penalties, under the terms of the contracts.
Proper streetlight maintenance is an essential part of public safety and the upkeep of urban infrastructure, he said, directing officials and contractors to discharge their responsibilities without compromising lighting on roads and in neighbourhoods.
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