Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda revealed on August 30 that 140 of 222 streetlights on a key stretch between the city’s Hudson Circle and Chalukya Circle were not functioning. By September 3, the minister announced that the lights had been repaired and restored, with disciplinary measures taken against those responsible.
Calling it a “failure of responsibility and accountability,” he promised strict action against officials.
Even the area near Housing Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan’s residence at Bamboo Bazaar was completely dark. Pedestrians described the stretch as unsafe. “Not only in Cox Town but anywhere in Bangalore. In Kasturi Nagar also, the streetlights weren’t working until I filed a complaint with BESCOM. In darkness, drug addicts gather; they smoke. Further inside the city, the situation remained unchanged. Most streetlights were either malfunctioning or not working at all. Robbery and accidents occur in darkness. The minister is doing good work, but he must focus on more areas. Bengaluru’s broader streetlight problem persists While the minister’s intervention fixed one stretch of road. From MG Road to residential neighbourhoods, darkness continues to compromise safety and accountability.
In 2026, despite all our technology, we are still talking about darkness.
It’s dangerous for women’s safety,” said Kumar, a local resident. Manjunath, a resident, said, “Civic officials are responsible.
