The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has launched a ‘Rapid Electrical Action Force’ to address electricity-related issues promptly within the BMC area.
The initiative was officially flagged off today at around noon by Mayor Sulochana Das, accompanied by senior officials of BMC.
The Rapid Electrical Action Force (REAF) will be tasked with resolving faulty street light issues as they arise. To facilitate this, skilled personnel equipped with hydraulic ladders have been assigned to three special vehicles, each staffed with three members, including a driver. An additional vehicle will be added to the team. Upon receiving reports of faulty street lights, the team will take immediate action to repair them, and all responses will be documented.
A team leader has been assigned to manage these vehicles. If necessary, more personnel will be deployed to assist at the location of complaints. The teams will operate in two wards daily, ensuring they can quickly reach any area needing attention.
Currently, there are over 78,500 street lights within the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation area, including 180 high-mast light posts. During the financial year 2024-25, 2,400 new poles were installed, and over 5,000 new lights were added. In total, 34 high-mast lights have been established at various intersections throughout the BMC area.
Additional Commissioner Ratnakar Sahu, Corporator Santosh Kumar Singh, and many senior officers and employees were also present for the launch.
BMC Commissioner Chanchal Rana emphasised that road cleaning and bush cutting initiatives are receiving equal importance alongside electric lighting improvements.
While roadside lights have been repaired regularly, this initiative has been introduced in response to public complaints. Hon’ble Mayor Smt. Das expressed optimism that this effort will significantly address street lighting issues in the coming days.
