Shillong: Shillong remains dark despite its Smart City status. Street lighting across the Meghalaya capital has suffered for years, forcing residents to navigate dangerous, unlit roads. Many high-mast lights at major junctions have failed, and numerous solar-powered units sit broken throughout the city. Only a small stretch near Khyndai Lad stays lit thanks to a private firm.
Government departments previously fought over who owned the maintenance bill. Confusion between the Power department and the Urban Affairs department left the city in the dark. The state claims it installed 700 automated, energy-efficient LED streetlights under the Smart City Mission, but the system has largely failed to deliver.
Urban Affairs Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar announced on Wednesday that the state finally split the duties. Municipal authorities will now manage lighting in all key areas, while the Power department handles other assigned zones. "The state government has finally resolved the issue of jurisdiction, with the responsibility for maintaining streetlights in different areas now clearly assigned to either the Power department or the Urban Affairs department," Dhar said.
The government is currently drafting Detailed Project Reports to address requests from local headmen for new installations. Officials admit this is the first major effort to standardize city lighting since 1993.
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