India, Nov. 1 -- As Chandigarh prepares for Diwali, homes will be dressed in fairy lights, markets will glow with festive decorations and buildings will compete for attention. For a few evenings, the city will appear brighter than usual. Yet beyond these illuminated pockets lies a less celebratory reality. Several of Chandigarh's pedestrian paths, cycle tracks and public spaces remain inadequately lit. The contrast raises an uncomfortable question: why does a city capable of lighting up for a festival struggle to illuminate spaces its residents use every day?

The dark side of the grid

Chandigarh's planned road hierarchy and extensive cycling infrastructure are among its defining urban features. But infrastructure that works in daylight ...