The Hindu 01.10.2013
World Bank to pool in for streetlights in Chennai
A majority of Chennai city’s LED lights will now be
commissioned with the aid of World Bank through the Tamil Nadu Urban
Development Fund III.
The Chennai Corporation council
will pass a resolution on Saturday towards the commissioning of 34,425
LED streetlights at an estimated cost of Rs. 94.48 crore. A loan of Rs.
64.14 crore, a subsidy of Rs.18.90 crore and Corporation funds of Rs.
9.44 crore will be used for lighting up zones such as Tiruvottiyur,
Manali, Madhavaram, Ambattur, Valasaravakkam, Alandur, Perungudi and
Sholinganallur, sources said. Work in some areas has already been taken
up.
The project is expected to improve streetlighting in 93 wards.
These
neighbourhoods have only 83,807 streetlights, including 49,420
tubelights, most of which are non-functional. Added zones such as
Ambattur and Valasaravakkam will get a significant number of the new LED
streetlights.
Last year, based on a survey carried
out after the merger of new areas with the Corporation, it was estimated
over 1.1 lakh new streetlights were required and the civic body decided
to use LED fittings.
Chief Minister Jayalalithaa had announced in April that the Rs. 321.79-crore project would be completed in two years.
The
Corporation had first decided to install 55,000 LED streetlights by
March 31, 2014. However, it is likely to commission only 48,034 of the
streetlights with available funds, sources said.
By the end of November, 13,609 of the streetlights are expected to be installed.
The Corporation issued work orders for these 40-watt streetlights a month ago and has commissioned them in some areas.
Work on fitting 2,000 of the streetlights in some wards has been completed.
After commissioning the LED lights, the civic body will put in place an automated control system for monitoring them.
A
few companies have commenced a pilot study in areas such as Besant
Nagar for the system, which will facilitate immediate action for
restoration of non-functional lights.
According to
sources, funds amounting to Rs. 177 crore will be required for the next
phase of installing 62,021 of the LED fittings, which will be completed
in March 2015.