Mumbai: Aarey Milk Colony Women Forced to Walk In Darkness Due To Non-Functional Street Lights

Despite ongoing concerns about women’s safety, the women living in Aarey Milk Colony are forced to walk in complete darkness due to non-functional street lights on internal roads. This situation raises serious safety concerns for the 50,000 to 60,000 residents of the area, particularly women.

 Aarey Milk Colony’s Non-Functional Street Lights

Aarey Milk Colony, which covers 16 square kilometres, is home to 28 tribal hamlets, cattle farms, and slum pockets. The lack of operational streetlights on the internal roads of the colony has been an ongoing issue, despite repeated coverage in the media.

On the main road, the streetlights work. However, the majority of internal roads remain in darkness. This problem not only increases the chances of accidents for wild animals but also poses a significant risk to pedestrians. Women and men alike are forced to navigate these pitch-dark streets, with no assurance of safety.

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Residents Voice Concern

Local residents have voiced their concerns. Bharti Gusar, a resident of Aarey Milk Colony, expressed her frustration in a statemet to Mid-Day English . She emphasised that women’s safety was a critical concern, particularly in light of recent incidents. Gusar pointed out that most internal roads had non-operational streetlights, leaving residents with no choice but to walk in darkness. She hoped that the authorities would take note of the situation and repair the lights as soon as possible.

Residents highlighted the increased risk of human-animal conflicts on these dark roads. The inability to see ahead makes walking even more hazardous. The residents are not only afraid of accidents but also fear criminal activity. Many feel that the dark streets could lead to crimes being committed against women. Anti-social elements and drug addicts are allegedly stealing the copper wires that supply electricity to the streetlights. This theft further delays the restoration of lighting in the area.

Although CCTV cameras have been installed by the police in some locations, the residents feel more needs to be done. They urge the authorities to use the footage from these cameras to take action against those responsible for stealing the copper wires. They believe that a strong response from the authorities could deter further theft and help restore lighting in the area.

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The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Aarey Milk Colony oversees the operation and maintenance of streetlights. However, when approached for comment by Mid-Day English , Aarey CEO Balasaheb Chaure was unavailable.

Cover Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons