Surat: At a time when Gujarat is grappling with a major power crisis and industries are facing eight-hour power curtailments in a week to conserve electricity, streetlights in Surat’s Govind Nagar industrial area in Udhna are burning round the clock, raising concerns over power wastage and civic apathy.Business owners and local residents said the streetlights have remained switched on even during daylight for the past several months. A visit to Govind Nagar, an industrial and commercial hub comprising around 500 plots, revealed rows of streetlights glowing through the day, even as the govt pushes for electricity conservation and industries are required to suspend operations during designated hours.Local businessmen claimed they had repeatedly approached the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) to address the issue, but no lasting solution had been implemented.“I have complained a few times to the local officials, but the lights have not been turned off. Once, they switched them off for a day or two, but after that, they were back on permanently,” said Musharaff Ansari, a shop owner in the area.Resident Divyesh Kumavat said he had also raised the issue with the civic body on multiple occasions, submitting photographs as evidence. However, he claimed the problem persisted despite his complaints.“I complained to the SMC with photographs six months ago and again three months ago, but the lights are still on even today. I don’t understand why they continue to remain switched on all the time,” Kumavat told TOI.Industry owners said the situation was particularly frustrating amid the ongoing power crisis, with businesses being compelled to halt operations for hours to conserve electricity. They argued that such alleged wastage by a civic body undermines the broader efforts to reduce power consumption and places an unnecessary burden on public resources.“It is a matter of concern for all citizens. We make various efforts to save electricity, yet a govt body itself is wasting power and public money. SMC officials should monitor such wastage themselves and take steps to prevent it,” said Kadir Ansari, who runs an engineering workshop in the area.Responding to the complaints, an SMC official said, “We will get it checked and take necessary action to ensure that the wastage of power is stopped immediately.”
