90,953 smart streetlights to be installed across Delhi to eliminate dark spots: Will Okhla also get its share?
In a significant move aimed at enhancing women’s safety and promoting energy conservation, the Kejriwal Government announced today the installation of smart street lights across Delhi. The initiative, spearheaded by Chief Minister Shri Arvind Kejriwal, is set to eliminate dark spots and create a safer environment for all residents. The CM emphasised the importance of smart street lights in not only conserving energy but also providing enhanced safety for women. By implementing this transformative project, the government aims to address the crucial issue of women’s security in the city.
Under this ambitious plan, the Delhi Government will install a staggering 90,953 smart street lights throughout Delhi, covering a wide range of areas. This extensive installation will include all Public Works Department (PWD) roads, ensuring comprehensive coverage across the city. To ensure the uninterrupted functioning of the smart street lights, the CM highlighted the implementation of a robust central monitoring system. In the event of any fault or malfunctioning street light, the control room will be promptly alerted, triggering immediate replacement measures. This proactive approach guarantees a swift response and maintenance, ensuring that no dark spots persist in the city.
Commenting on the initiative, Chief Minister Shri Arvind Kejriwal stated that the Delhi Government is doing whatever it can in its purview to tighten women’s security. Smart street lights will play a pivotal role in eliminating dark spots and instilling a sense of safety among our citizens, particularly women, he added.
CM Shri Arvind Kejriwal granted his in-principle approval to the Smart Street Light Policy on Tuesday. The proposal was presented by Cabinet Minister Ms Atishi before the CM during a high-level meeting at the Delhi Secretariat. During the meeting the Public Works Department (PWD) presented the Smart Street Light Scheme to the Chief Minister. PWD officials provided a comprehensive overview of the project, highlighting the outdated technology used in existing street lights, which made it challenging to procure spare parts and led to excessive energy consumption. Consequently, electricity bills soared due to increased usage. Additionally, the manual monitoring of the current street lights made it difficult to address complaints promptly, as real-time monitoring was lacking.
To address these issues, the government plans to install 90,953 smart street lights across various areas of Delhi. This initiative aims to eliminate dark spots in the city and enhance safety by reducing incidents of crimes against women in poorly lit areas.
Chief Minister Shri Arvind Kejriwal expressed concern about the rising number of crimes against women in recent times and assured that the Delhi government is taking all necessary measures within its jurisdiction to prevent such crimes. The implementation of the Smart Street Light Scheme is part of these efforts, as it will eradicate dark spots and ensure women’s safety.
The government has adopted the Energy Service Company (ESCO) model for the Smart Street Light Policy, centralising the control of smart lights. This central control will enable the control room to promptly identify and rectify any faulty lights. Moreover, many lights remain illuminated during the day on various roads, leading to unnecessary electricity wastage. The scheme aims to address this issue and reduce electricity wastage.
Ms Atishi emphasised that LED smart street lights will be installed throughout Delhi. The lights will be centrally monitored to detect any malfunctioning lights. With the implementation of this scheme, no dark spots will remain in Delhi, she said.
Under the Energy Service Company (ESCO) model, the PWD’s electricity bill is expected to be reduced by approximately 50 percent. The savings from reduced electricity bills and maintenance costs will be shared with the concessionaire. Out of the total 90,953 smart LED street lights, 59,572 traditional lights will be replaced with smart LED lights, while 31,381 existing LED lights will be converted into smart street lights. The ESCO agency will bear the maintenance costs for a period of 7 years.
A centralised control monitoring system and individual light monitoring system will be established for effective oversight. The command centre will monitor the operational status, electricity consumption, fault detection, light intensity, historical data logging, Geographic Information System (GIS) integration, and more. The system will also provide information on timers, scheduling, dimming control, and alarm notifications.
This model ensures the implementation of the latest technology and industry best practices, resulting in benefits for consumers. Real-time monitoring will enhance operational efficiency. LED lights, with their energy efficiency and longer lifespan compared to traditional lights, will reduce maintenance costs while providing better illumination. Overall, the ESCO model will establish a more sustainable and efficient street lighting system for Delhi.
