Malda, Aug. 28 -- Industrialists, workers and employees at Malda Industrial Park are facing difficulties after sunset due to inadequate street lighting on a crucial stretch of National Highway 12 near the industrial hub at Narayanpur in Old Malda. The Malda Merchants' Chamber of Commerce and Industry has now written to Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, seeking streetlights along nearly one kilometre of the highway.
Established in 1982, the industrial estate currently spreads over around 252 acres and houses several starch, silk and other manufacturing units. Around 10,000 people reportedly work there in three shifts. Workers finishing their duties at around 10 pm and those arriving for the night shift have to negotiate the dark stretch amid heavy traffic.
"The entire stretch remains in darkness from sunset till dawn because of inadequate streetlights. This is causing serious inconvenience to people travelling to and from the industrial area and increasing the risk of accidents," said Ujjal Saha, district president of the Malda Merchants' Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Speaking over the phone on Thursday, Saha said the issue was not limited to safety. "Lack of adequate lighting is also becoming a hurdle to the development of the industrial area. Workers and employees face difficulties commuting at night, while expansion of existing units and setting up new industries are also being affected," he said.
Workers said the heavy movement of trucks, buses and other vehicles on NH-12 makes travelling through the dark stretch particularly risky.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.