Bhubaneswar, Aug. 4: The state government has asked the municipal corporation to collaborate with Energy Efficiency Services Limited for identification of roads where street lights need to be installed.

This comes a day after the government launched an ambitious scheme Unnati and entered into an agreement with the Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) for installation of the energy-efficient LED streetlights across the city in the next one year.

The Telegraph today took a tour of the city to find out where the lights need to be installed.

Citizens have long been demanding street lights on the stretch between the Fire Station Square and Jagamara Square. This 2.1km stretch does not have street lights at all. The authorities had build a seamless four-lane road here in 2015, but are still not being able to install street lights.

"This is one of the busiest roads in the city. They authorities have installed humps on the road, but haven't put any signage to identify those. Dumping of construction materials is another problem here. In the absence of street lights, the stretch is a nightmare," said Jagamara resident Dinesh Hota, who runs a shop here.

Another important road that needs street lights is the stretch connecting Sum Hospital with Gothapatana and on the other side of Kalinga Nagar. This is a three-way four-lane road around 2.4km long.

"I live in Gothapatna and work in Saheed Nagar. I use this road at night to get back home. There are no street lights here and a lot of people ride on the wrong side here. At times, strays cattle occupy the road, adding to the problems," said Bidyadhar Meher, a corporate employee.

Mayor Ananta Narayan Jena said they had been installing the LED lights across the city in phases.

"We have taken up the important stretches first and now shifting focus to the new roads. We are now going to focus on stretches that do not have street lights and then move to the ones where we need to replace the lights," said Jena.

The list of dark streets of the city doesn't end here with the municipal corporation also failing to provide street lights on the stretch between Delta Square and Fire Station Square and replace the traditional ones on the stretch between CRP Square and Delta Square.

"Using these stretches at night is nothing short of an adventure," said Unit-VIII resident Tribikram Dash, adding that minor accidents were a common affair. "The stretch between Delta and CRP is unplanned. The stretch is wide at some places and narrow at others. The absence of proper street lights make commuting a difficult task here. I hope the authorities will install the LEDs here soon," said Dash, a betel shop owner on the stretch.

A senior civic body official said they had received Rs 5 crore from the state tourism department for installation of LEDs on this stretch.

"There were several complaints about the lack of street lights here. We have put the proposal before the council, which got the approval during the monthly council meeting last month. We will start installing and replacing the lights here shortly," said the official.