Date:08/01/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/01/08/stories/2009010861200300.htm

New Delhi

Brighter streetlights soon

Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI: The MCD has approved a proposal to overhaul faulty streetlights in its area and replace them with dust-proof and insect-proof lights that provide an illumination of over 40 lux instead of the regular 10 lux.

The announcement was made by MCD Commissioner K.S. Mehra at the MCD Standing Committee meeting on Wednesday.

He said these lights would also be provided with reflectors and it would be ensured that their illumination level of 40 to 45 lux is maintained irrespective of the weather conditions and the regular wear and tear of the fittings.

The civic body will spend about Rs.80 crore on replacing all sub-standard or non-functional streetlights.

Though the proposal envisaged taking the necessary amount from the local area development funds of the councillors, some councillors objected and said the lights should only be installed in areas where it was necessary.

Standing Committee chairman Vijender Gupta said: “A joint inspection will be conducted by engineering department officials and councillors in all wards and new lights would be installed only as per requirement of the area councillor.”