NDMC to replace old street lights with LED fixtures

A light-emitting diode (LED) street lamp is illuminated in Langen, Lower Saxony, May 23, 2013. Light-emitting diodes are taking over public spaces, saving thousands of euros in energy costs, although the price will deter households from making the switch for some time. LEDs are up to eight times more efficient than incandescent bulbs used in most homes but are still at least 10 times as expensive. The more expensive a lamp, the longer it needs to burn to write off the price, so it is more viable to use them in streets and hospitals than in homes where lights are off more than on. The town of Langen on Germany's North Sea coast has done the sums and two years ago became the first in Europe to replace its 2,583 street lights with LEDs at a cost of 1.7 million euros ($2.2 million). The town now spends about 79,000 euros a year to run its street lights - more than 60 percent less than before. Picture taken May 23. To go with story ENERGY-EFFICIENCY/LED REUTERS/Fabian Bimmer (GERMANY - Tags: BUSINESS SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY) - RTX1076N

Over 1.1 lakh street lights in north Delhi are to be replaced with "world-class LED fixtures" as part of a project that begins on September 29, the NDMC mayor said.

The conversion plan will start simultaneously from wards 57 and 63 in Rohini, and ward 36 in Narela.

"It is a Diwali gift to Delhiites from the North Delhi Municipal Corporation," Mayor Preety Agarwal said.

As part of the project, the existing conventional street lighting system, semi-half mast lights and lights in parks, would be upgraded to a "world-class LED street lighting system," the NDMC said.

Agarwal said there are 2.05 lakh street lights in total under the jurisdiction of the civic body.

A contract has been awarded to a consortium of firms for converting 1.15 lakh fixtures situated in two of the bigger zones, namely Rohini and Narela.

She said, for the remaining 90 lakh lighting fixtures spread across remaining four zones -- City, Civil Lines, Sadar Paharganj and Karol Bagh -- tenders have been received and scrutinised.

These are at final stages of being awarded, the NDMC said in a statement.

Deputy Mayor Vijay Bhagat said the manufacturer has specially designed the product to meet the NDMC's specifications that includes minimum seven years life span for issuing light.

The NDMC said the project once completed would also help save energy and cut maintenance expenditure for the civic body.

There are 108 wards under the jurisdiction of the NDMC and includes some of the most populous areas like Chandni Chowk, Sadar Bazar, and other parts of Old Delhi.