Archive · 4 Oct 2026
Lighting Problems Raise Safety Concerns at Chennai Park
Rayala Nagar park in Chennai is used by many people.
Residents say some of its lights do not work reliably.
This makes parts of the park dark in the evening.
People are worried about feeling safe, especially women and older visitors.
They want the city to check the park’s lighting system and make lasting repairs.
The Greater Chennai Corporation says it checks lights across the city.
One inspection found 1,817 lights not working, and a later inspection found 2,079.
A local official said the park’s lighting problems would be looked into and fixed as soon as possible.
Residents say intermittent lighting leaves parts of Rayala Nagar park in Ramapuram poorly lit in the evenings.
Park users raised concerns about safety, particularly for women, senior citizens and people staying late.
Residents want the civic body to inspect the electrical infrastructure and ensure repairs last.
Greater Chennai Corporation maintains more than 300,000 lights across roads and public spaces.
GCC inspections found 1,817 and later 2,079 non-functional lights; a ward official said the park complaints would be addressed.
- Who
- Residents and users of Rayala Nagar park, and the Greater Chennai Corporation.
- What
- Intermittent, non-functional park lights have prompted safety concerns and calls for lasting repairs.
- When
- The concerns apply during evening hours; GCC inspections were reported recently, including one on September 16.
- Where
- Rayala Nagar park in Ramapuram, Chennai.
- Why
- Poor lighting leaves parts of the park dark and makes some users feel unsafe.
Residents’ concerns
Civic body’s response
Whether lighting problems are being adequately resolved
Residents’ concerns
Residents say lights in and around the park fail intermittently and argue that the electrical infrastructure needs inspection and repairs that remain effective.
Civic body’s response
GCC says it monitors and inspects lights, identifies non-burning units and initiates repairs; a local official said the park complaints would be addressed.
- Park
- Rayala Nagar park, Ramapuram
- Civic body
- Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC)
- Lights maintained
- More than 3 lakh, including lights in streets and public spaces
- Inspection finding
- 1,817 non-functional lights out of 3,11,285
- Later inspection
- 2,079 non-burning lights out of 3,11,285; the field inspection was on September 16
- Complaint channel
- GCC grievance system, including 1913
- Official response
- A ward 155 official said the park-lighting complaints would be examined and rectified at the earliest.