The illuminated highway on the outskirts of Paradip. Telegraph picture

Paradip, Dec. 13: The outskirts of Paradip Port Township is wearing a bright look with glowing street lights.

Street lights have been installed at the 3.5-km stretch with highway connectivity. The installation job is a part of the Rs 1.25-crore urban infrastructure development project.

The Do-chakki to Atharabanki junction is marked by round-the-clock busy vehicular traffic. As darkness pervaded the crowded area after daybreak, commuters’ safety was jeopardised. Street lights on the busy traffic route had become a basic necessity for safe and trouble-free journey.

The project has given the seaport township a vibrant touch as the illuminated roads are the gateway to this bustling industrial hub.

“Lighting up the busy route was a priority of Paradip urban local body. The local municipal administration had sent a proposal to the urban development department for the NH street-light project. Street lights were installed on a war-footing and Chief minister Naveen Patnaik recently inaugurated the project,” said Sarada Prasad Panda executive officer, Paradip Municipality.

The project is almost complete. Installation of electricity poles is under way at some parts of the stretch. As directed by the urban development department, the Odisha small and medium scale industries department was executing the project, he said.

The absence of street lights on the stretch had made driving on these stretches hazardous.

This apart, these stretches had emerged as safe haven for goons after dark with many cases of theft and other criminal activities being reported from nearby areas.

Lighting up the highway had become a matter of paramount importance, said local resident Dipti Prakash Pattnaik.

Installation of street lights on the national highway will bring down crime as criminals were operating under the cover of darkness, said Bhabani Shankar Mishra, sub-divisional police officer, Paradip.