Energy efficient LED bulbs to light streets of 43,000 villages

The Maharashtra government has decided to replace CFL bulbs used for street lighting across 43,665 villages in the state with energy-efficient LED bulbs.

The scheme in this regard has been cleared, Energy Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule said.

"Using energy-efficient LED bulbs saves up to 60 percent of energy. These bulbs also last long and hence are cost effective," Bawankule said.

"According to economic survey of 2014, the state has around 43,665 villages. Even if we consider that every village has 50 bulbs of 60 watts each for street lighting, that gives an idea of increased demand for power in the peak load time.

Use of LED has a potential to bring down this additional load in peak hours by 50 percent," he added.

He said that under the scheme, the villages would be provided with LED bulbs at 90 percent subsidy, while the village panchayat will have to bear the 10 percent cost.

"The funds for the scheme could also be made available from ZP schemes, MP/MLA funds or other similar schemes," he said.

"Priority would be given to villages with more than 5000 population and villages selected under various schemes of the state government like GadgeBaba Gram Swachchata Abhiyan,  the minister said adding that in tribal villages the scheme would be implemented at 100 percent subsidy basis.

The district councils (Zilla Parishad) would survey the demand from the villages and pass it over to MahaUrja, who in turn would inspect the technical aspects and convey details like wattage of the LED bulbs that needs to be used etc, to the ZP, Bawankule said.

LED bulbs last for almost 100000 hours, reducing the recurring cost, the minister added.