Motorists are complaining that the focus lamps kept inside Chennai Metro Rail Limited’s barricades on roads, including Rajiv Gandhi Salai and Mount Poonamallee Road, do not shed enough light on the carriageway and also end up seeing only lights for a few seconds.
The lamps, placed in pairs, are at a lower level than usual streetlights. While one lamp throws light on Chennai Metrorail’s work sites, the other one is turned to the side of the road. Since the work is happening along the median, the original streetlights have been removed.
“Highway lighting is covered under the Indian Roads Congress and these lights do not conform to that code in any manner. Streetlights don’t cause temporary blindness and ensure that there is enough light on the carriageway. The lighting is necessary for safe driving in the dark. Pedestrians also depend on streetlights to navigate their way,” explained a retired highway engineer.
