An extended power outage affecting street lighting along Paltan Bazaar in Dehradun has prompted official intervention. Street lights from the Clock Tower to Darshani Gate remained switched off for several days after Dehradun Smart City Limited (DSCL) failed to pay electricity bills, prompting Uttaranchal Power Corporation Limited (UPCL) to disconnect the meter at Kotwali. Traders reported that the unlit stretch raised safety concerns and fears of increased thefts and other suspicious activity. Market users and residents described heightened anxiety over nightly movement and visibility. Business representatives from Paltan Bazaar, Dhamawala Bazaar, Peepal Mandi and Darshani Gate repeatedly lodged complaints with the municipal mayor, Smart City authorities and UPCL but said they received no satisfactory response. Local observers noted that the outage occurred during peak evening hours when market activity is highest. The lack of prompt remedial action aggravated tensions between traders and city agencies. Business leaders said that prolonged darkness had reduced footfall and disrupted evening trade. District Magistrate Ashish Chauhan took cognisance of the situation on 11 August and summoned DSCL officials to account for the lapse. He reprimanded the officials, directed immediate payment of the pending electricity bill and ordered restoration of the street lights along the affected stretch without delay. The magistrate also warned that the salaries of responsible officials could be withheld if the directions were not followed. Officials at DSCL were directed to coordinate with UPCL and the municipal administration to ensure that services are restored and that similar lapses are prevented. Traders said they expected quick action to safeguard commerce and public safety in the market areas. The matter remains under local administrative review pending confirmation that lights have been repaired and bills cleared. Officials indicated that traders would be updated once restoration work was completed and bills reconciled.