Hyderabad: For
the first time in the country, LEDs are to be installed along an
eight-lane expressway. Following a green signal from the state
government, the 24-km stretch of the Outer Ring Road, from Gachibowli to
Shamshabad, will be lit up with light emitting diodes in the coming
months.

The Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority is to
take up the project with a Rs 30 crore loan assistance from the Japan
International Cooperation Agency.

Generally, sodium or mercury
vapour lights are used along highways; but the HMDA has opted for LEDs
in order to save power and because they do not need frequent
replacements.

To light up the ORR, the HMDA needs each light
outputting 120-125 watts of illumination. The LEDs can produce the light
while consuming lesser power than other categories of bulbs.

Each
pole will have two arms with lights on the sides to illuminate the
eight carriageways. Power saving is one of the reasons for taking the
LED route, but installing solar panels is not yet an option.