The decision to install new lights on the dark pavement on south plaza pavement comes with rising number of petty crimes in the area. With the lights installed the authorities are also trying to make the 64 close circuit (CC) cameras of the Sangshad Bhaban area more effective at night. The authorities installed CC cameras with a control room inside the Sangshad Bhaban over six months ago with the financial assistance of UNDP.

"The area becomes very dark at night and the CC cameras fail to pick up what is happening here," said a PWD official requesting anonymity.

The officials said that over ten years ago lights on the pavement were disconnected when the Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) built the median on Manik Mia Avenue installing new lights. But the DCC failed to maintain the lights on the median and the area now plunges into darkness after sunset.

"There are regular reports of mugging, prostitution and drug peddling on the dark pavement covered with trees in front of the Sangshad Bhaban," said another PWD official.

"With lights fitted to 28 high poles the entire area would be illuminated and the security control room inside the parliament would be able to monitor the area," said the official.

PWD's Arboury Culture Department has also taken up the painstaking job of manually cutting the overgrown lawn in front of the parliament building.