Gurugram: A major lighting upgrade is being planned along the Kundli-Manesar-Palwal (KMP) Expressway, with authorities preparing a comprehensive project aimed at improving visibility and road safety during night-time travel. The initiative, covering the stretch between Pachgaon and Palwal, is expected to involve an investment of around ₹5 crore and reflects a broader shift towards strengthening transport infrastructure through preventive safety measures rather than reactive interventions.
Officials associated with the project said a detailed technical assessment is underway to identify sections where inadequate illumination has increased driving risks after sunset. The survey is examining curves, elevated stretches, junctions and areas with natural terrain that create dark zones, making navigation more challenging for motorists, particularly heavy commercial vehicles that frequently use the corridor. The proposed works include replacing non-functional lighting systems, installing energy-efficient LED streetlights and renewing damaged electrical poles wherever required. Additional poles are also expected to be erected at locations where existing infrastructure does not provide adequate coverage. Alongside the lighting improvements, faulty electrical control panels are likely to be repaired or upgraded to ensure uninterrupted operation across the route. The KMP Expressway lighting project is expected to move into the approval stage after the engineering survey is completed and cost estimates are finalised. Once administrative clearance is secured, procurement and tendering processes will determine the implementation timeline.
Urban mobility experts note that consistent roadway lighting is a critical but often overlooked component of highway safety. While barriers, lane markings and traffic enforcement remain essential, adequate illumination significantly improves driver reaction time, enhances visibility of pedestrians and stalled vehicles, and reduces the likelihood of collisions in low-light conditions. For freight corridors such as the KMP Expressway, which supports logistics movement across the National Capital Region, safer night-time operations can also improve transport efficiency and reduce delays. The planned transition to LED technology carries environmental benefits alongside safety gains. Compared with conventional lighting systems, LEDs consume less electricity, require lower maintenance and have longer operational lifespans, supporting efforts to reduce the energy footprint of transport infrastructure. Such upgrades align with wider urban infrastructure priorities that seek to combine operational efficiency with sustainable public investment. Infrastructure planners also emphasise that maintenance remains as important as new installations.
Regular inspection of electrical systems, prompt replacement of damaged equipment and continuous monitoring will be necessary to ensure that the KMP Expressway lighting improvements deliver lasting benefits rather than becoming another short-lived infrastructure intervention. If implemented on schedule, the project could enhance confidence among commuters and freight operators while reinforcing the role of safer, better-maintained highways in supporting regional economic activity. The effectiveness of the initiative, however, will ultimately depend on timely execution, long-term upkeep and sustained investment in road safety infrastructure.
