Conversion to LED streetlights will pick up speed, assures BBMP

The civic body's effort to replace sodium vapour streetlights with LEDs has slowed to a crawl, with authorities promising to pick up speed soon.

A senior Palike official said nearly 20,000 to 25,000 sodium vapour lights out of 4.7 lakh streetlights have been replaced with LEDs, ensuring a rather bright future for areas like Jayanagar and parts of Indiranagar.

"We have called for tenders and the process is almost over. We are waiting for approvals and, very soon, we will light up the city with LEDs," the official said.

LEDising the streetlights would massively cut down the BBMP's grossly inflated power bill, while also offering an environmental friendly solution. The civic body spends nearly Rs 12 to 13 crore a month to light up the city. With LEDs, this would almost come down to Rs 3.5 crore. The BBMP had invited a global tender to illuminate the city.