LED illumination met with mixed reactions

CESC officials say that the illumination is 66 per cent more energy efficient.

The illumination made in major destinations and streets in the city for Dasara celebrations has been met with mixed reviews by the citizens of the city. While some of them feel that use of Light Emitting Diodes (LED) to illuminate Mysore is a novel initiative, some feel that the sheen of the past illumination done with the help of incandescent bulbs, has not been replicated.

However, Chamundeshwari Electric Supply Company (CESC) is confident that the trend of LED illumination will pick up, owing to the amount of electricity used by LED’s, as against incandescent bulbs.

Illumination techniques employed in the year 2013, has not gone down well with Jayaram, a resident of the city from the past three decades. “Illumination in the past few years was bright and had a sheer aura about it. Compared to the illumination of the past years, new illumination seems rather dull,” he said.

K Bhyrappa, a student of University of Mysore, said that the city has become more colourful during Dasara, thanks to LED illumination. “Compared to the monochromatic lighting used in previous years, this is a welcome change. LED lights also use less electricity, due to which such progressive measures should be encouraged,” he said.

The new illumination has provided with a splendid view of Mysore from Chamundi Hill and is an added attraction this Dasara, he added.

Energy savings

According to Sathyanarayana, Superintendent Engineer of CESC, the company will save 66 per cent more energy as compared to lighting with incandescent bulbs.

About 12 lakh units of electricity was being used for 15 days to illuminate the city in the past. With LED lighting, four lakh units of electricity will be sufficient for the same period, he said. With a unit costing about Rs 8 to10 per unit, energy saved will translate to about 70 lakh.

At the price of Rs 8 to10 per unit, illumination with incandescent bulbs will cost more than Rs one crore, while about Rs 36 lakhs will be the expenditure for electricity, using LED bulbs, he said.

Moreover, CESC is also creating awareness about energy conservation by employing various methods at its stall in Exhibition Grounds too.