Chennai Corporation launches drive to achieve 100% functional streetlighting

Following the direction of the GCC Commissioner, officials conducted field inspections on Saturday night to ensure that all 3,11,285 street lights within the Corporation limits are 100% operational. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has launched a drive to achieve 100% functional streetlighting across the city. The civic body has identified 1,610 non-functional streetlights and started replacing damaged LED fittings, installing new streetlights in dark stretches managed by various agencies such as Highways.GCC Commissioner G.S. Sameeran said: “We will coordinate with the agencies and improve the quality of lighting in those areas [without streetlighting].”“As many as 849 LED lights are non-functional. These are beyond the warranty period. This may be due to loose contact, LED failure, surge arrester failure, electronic driver failure or power failure. Out of 3.11 lakh LED lights usually we see less than 1% failures,” said Dr. Sameeran.Following the direction of the GCC Commissioner, officials conducted field inspections on Saturday night to ensure that all 3,11,285 street lights within the Corporation limits are 100% operational.Within the GCC limits, street lights and high-mast lights have been installed and maintained by the Corporation for public safety across various locations, including roads, streets, flyovers, subways, parks, bus stands, Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat Development Board (TNUHDB) residential areas, and burial grounds. The Corporation Commissioner and the Joint Commissioner (Works) conducted an inspection of non-functional lights in the Anna Nagar zone on Saturday night.Furthermore, zonal nodal officers were appointed, specifically the Joint Commissioner (Education) for the North Region, the Deputy Commissioner (Health) for the Central Region, and the Joint Commissioner (Works) for the South Region, along with senior officials designated as in-charge officers for Zones 1 to 15. A 100% field inspection was carried out throughout Saturday night. During this field inspection, out of the total 3,11,285 street lights, 1,610 street lights were found to be non-functional. Among these, 579 street lights were affected in areas where stormwater drain works, Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) works, and Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) works were under way. A total of 182 street lights were non-functional because of underground cable faults, while 849 LED street lights were found to be non-functional. According to officials, the 849 non-functional LED lights would be repaired and lit within 24 hours, while the 182 underground cable faults will be rectified within 48 hours. Additionally, as per the Corporation Commissioner’s instructions, orders have been issued to identify locations where tree branches obstructed the illumination of street lights. Workers will prune them on a weekly basis to ensure bright lighting. Work on pruning of tree branches is under way. The commissioner has also instructed officials to continuously monitor the functioning of all electric lights across the GCC limits to ensure they remain 100% operational.Residents have also been requested to report non-functional street lights and other electrical faults within the GCC limits by calling the Corporation’s helpline at 1913 or through the Namma Chennai App. Published - November 15, 2026 10:36 pm IST