Chennai Corporation council meeting: streetlight maintenance across 12 zones proposed

The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has proposed to maintain 2,33,267 streetlights and 443 high-mast lights across 12 zones for one year, excluding the cost of materials. This was stated at the GCC general council meeting chaired by Mayor R. Priya and attended by Commissioner G.S. Sameeran on Thursday (October 29, 2026), at Ripon Buildings.

The maintenance work would cover the following 12 zones – Tiruvottiyur, Manali, Madhavaram, Tondiarpet, Thiru-Vi-Ka Nagar, Ambattur, Teynampet, Kodambakkam, Valasaravakkam, Alandur, Perungudi, and Sholinganallur.

The work includes the daily monitoring of streetlights, repairing faulty lights within 24 hours of receiving complaints from officials or the public, and maintaining feeder boxes, junction boxes, poles and associated electrical components. The contractor will also have to provide the required workforce, vehicles fitted with aluminium or hydraulic ladders, and other facilities needed for the work, according to the resolution.

Ambattur Zone

In addition, streetlights in Ambattur Zone, which has 28,417 streetlight poles and 69 high-mast lights, would be maintained at a cost of ₹5.01 crore for one year, the resolution mentioned.

The contractor will have to ensure that lights are switched on and off according to the GCC’s schedule and submit reports every 15 days. Penalties will apply for delayed repairs, staff shortages and failure to provide vehicles in proper working condition, according to the proposed resolution.

Previous inspection

Notably, the Chennai Corporation had identified 2,079 streetlights that were not functioning during a city-wide night inspection recently.

The inspection was conducted to ensure that all 3,11,285 streetlights in the city remained operational, on September 16, 2026, following the Commissioner’s directions.