Lack of illumination at Chitlapakkam lake irks regulars

Darkness engulfs the Chitlapakkam lake in Tambaram taluk in the evenings due to lack of lighting, making it hard for the walkers and posing a threat to women. A high-mast lamp on the Chitlapakkam Third Cross Street-Seethapathi Road junction used to shed some light on the upper bound of the lake, but it has stopped functioning for over a month now. When The Hindu spoke to a cross-section of regular walkers on the lighting issue, they point out that while the WRD and the Corporation could ‘take time’ for the restoration and renovation of the pathways along the full circle of the lake, the immediate priority for them is to “retain the regular visitors” from staying away just due to lack of lighting. For this, at least three additional three high-mast lamps, focussing on the lake, need to be installed on the Chitlapakkam 3rd Street--Gandhi Road junction, the Thirumurugan Salai junction and near the junction at a private hospital, they say. When contacted, Jagan, 43rd Ward Councillor, said the streetlights on the Chitlapakkam 3rd Main Road stretch till Thirumurugan Salai would be restored shortly, However, shortage of sodium vapour lamps was leading to delay in repairs.