JOIN USSparkling white high mast lights like the ones on the Chaurasi Ghat in Varanasi may soon become a reality at some of Delhi’s busy crossways and parks if the South Corporation accepts a proposal given by a public sector company.
“Nearly 23,000 parks and 8,000 crossings have been identified across the 104 wards of the civic agency where high mast sodium vapour lamps can be replaced with energy-efficient LED lights,” said Venkatesh Dwivedi, general manager (technical) company Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL).
The company has just completed a project for the civic agency in which it changed nearly 1.85 lakh sodium vapour lamps and replaced them with power-saving LED street lights over one year.
He said his team submitted last month a proposal to the civic agency for a changing the high mast lights and park luminaries, as a next phase that could begin before year-end.
“EESL has submitted a proposal to SDMC for carrying out Phase II of installing the energy efficient lights. This requires an additional installation of 62,000 lights and ensure all dark patches are covered,” said Dwivedi.
Sources said the proposal is likely to be discussed in the South Corporation’s house and Standing Committee before a green signal is given for introduction of Varanasi-type high mast LED lights.
Earlier, the project to replace the power guzzling street lights with sodium lamps in 104 wards of the South Corporation was fraught with complaints of faults in the newly installed LED light.
Following some councillor’s complaints of lax complaint redressal for faulty street lights, the South Corporation has pressed upon EESL to launch a new toll free number.
“The new toll free number for taking complaints on faulty street lights will be launched this month. Residents can also use our App to give a complaint,” said Dwivedi.
Satender Prakash, chairman of South Zone’s Ward Committee, said nearly 1,000 complaints of faulty street lights were coming daily across the South Corporation.
“We have asked EESL to attend to all complaints within a period of 48-72 hours,” said Prakash. Dwivedi claimed the new toll free number would improve the system for complaint management of LED street lights.
Prakash said there are about eight wards in the SDMC where the work on replacement of sodium lamps with LED bulbs has not been completed. “The focus now is on stabilising the facility and attending to complaints following which these 8 wards ,” said Prakash.