New Delhi: The city is set to get 20,000 new smart streetlights by Diwali as old and dysfunctional lights will be replaced. PWD minister Parvesh Verma said they have set this target. The entire exercise is targeted for completion by January next year.“By Diwali we have a target to replace 20,000 old streetlights with smart lights across the city. The biggest feature of the new system will be its centralised Command and Control Centre,” Verma said, adding that the system would enable officials to identify malfunctioning lights immediately and operate them remotely.The new lighting system will be linked to a centralised Command and Control Centre at the PWD headquarters. The system will allow officials to monitor streetlights in real time and identify faults without waiting for complaints from residents.Officials said the shift from old sodium lights to smart LED lights is expected to reduce the govt’s electricity and maintenance expenditure by around Rs 30 crore annually. The project has an estimated cost of around Rs 473 crore, which includes operation and maintenance for five years.He said the payment mechanism had also been designed to ensure accountability from the private company executing the project. The company installing the lights will receive monthly payments only after the lights are fully operational, keeping it responsible for their upkeep, performance and timely maintenance.The minister said the existing system had several shortcomings, with many areas remaining dark for extended periods because of dysfunctional streetlights. Since there was no real-time monitoring facility, faults were generally reported only after complaints were received.
