Hindustan Times 10.12.2009
Solar lamps for Hanging Gardens
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is planning to use solar energy to light up the Ferozeshah Mehta Gardens. Built on the Malabar Hill reservoir, the gardens are popularly known as Hanging Gardens.
Residents in the vicinity have complained of insufficient lighting as the garden’s lamps are old and don’t emit enough light. The residents discussed the issue with the civic body in their review meeting two weeks ago.
“Following these complaints, we have decided to replace the old lamps with new solar-powered ones. We have also decided to increase the number of lamps,” said a civic official, requesting anonymity.
“Installing solar lights is appreciated by us and is also the most ecological option,” said Indrani Malkani, secretary, Malabar Hill Residents Association.
The environment-friendly proposal, with a cost estimat of Rs 91.1 lakh, will be tabled before the BMC’s Standing Committee on Saturday.
The civic body had earlier tabled a proposal to appoint three contractors to provide solar-powered streetlights for the city, but it was not cleared.
“The idea is to save electricity and use renewable sources of energy to light the garden,” added the civic official.
