Street lights in Zirakpur to get bright makeover with LEDs

Satinder Pal Singh

Zirakpur, September 16

Thousands of sodium vapour lamps, which illuminated streets of the town, will soon be a thing of the past as Zirakpur is all set to embrace smart lightning system in which LEDs will light up roads.

The Zirakpur Municipal Council (MC) is going to execute the energy-efficient LED street light project as a step towards making the city smart, a long-awaited move that is likely to help instil a sense of security among residents, especially children and women, who often fear to venture outside in the dark.

Manvir Singh Gill, Executive Officer (EO), Municipal Council, Zirakpur, said LED street lights project was proposed for the city in the recent House meeting. It was subsequently approved by all municipal councillors to replace existing street lights with energy-efficient lights, he added.

Sources from the MC said there were in all 11,000 street light points in the city. The MC was paying nearly Rs 4 crore per annum, which included amount for the maintenance and electricity consumption, by street lights the sources added.

Civic body officials said while on one hand the LED lights would help cut down electricity bill drastically, and on the other it would also help in commuting on roads with better lightning.

Under this project, a company would be hired by the civic body, which would install streetlights and also look after their maintenance.

The Zirakpur MC ECO said a five member committee had already been set up, which after having invited expressions of interest (EOI), was now in the process of financial and technical evaluation of the bidders. Following evaluation, the committee would compare the responsive bidder (s) total offered price, which includes the required quantity of LED street lights, he added.

“The project will be given to an agency selected through the tender process, which will have a number of features, including automatic functioning of street lights and a centralised system,” he added.

“It is a much-awaited project for the city. Finally, the PMIDC has given permission to the MC to execute the project, which is good news for residents too,” said sources in the MC.

At present, the street light system across the town comprises conventional lighting systems, including high pressure sodium vapour lamps and fluorescent tube lights.

“The installation of LED-based street lighting system is essential. The LED lighting offers higher efficiency, better illumination and life expectancy apart from being environmentally sustainable,” said MC officials.

Residents of some areas have been demanding installation of street lights. Well-lit roads would help bring down cases of road accidents and chain snatchings in the city, they said.

“Currently, maintenance of streetlights is a major issue. Many of them remain unused and are not repaired for long despite repeated requests and reminders to the MC. Hopefully, the situation will improve,” said Sandeep, a resident of Zirakpur.

“Safety has become a major concern in the town as most street lights either do not work or remain defunct thus creating problems for motorists and even pedestrians. It makes quite challenging for them to cross stretches late in the evening,” said Zirakpur residents.

Details of new project

• In all, 11,000 street lights in the city will be replaced with LED.
• It will drastically reduce the electricity bill. At present, MC pays Rs 4 crore per annum for the maintenance and power consumed by street lights.
• It will make commuting on well-lit roads easier.
• A company will be hired by the MC to install streetlights and look after their maintenance.
• A five-member panel has already been set up, which after inviting EOIs, is doing financial and technical evaluation of bidders.
• Well-lit roads will bring down cases of road accidents and chain snatchings in the city.
• Women and kids will not fear to venture out after dark.