Kolkata joins global LED streetlight trial project

Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) launched a pilot project to instal LED streetlights along nine important roads of the city. With this, Kolkata finds itself in an elite league of cities undertaking a global LED trial programme. Besides KMC, the project is being carried out by the Union government’s Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (WBSEDCL) and West Bengal Pollution Control Board (WBPCB). The global LED programme is being run by an international non-profit organisation — The Climate Group. As part of the project, 350-odd LED lights will be installed along nine important stretches, including Alipore Road, Belvedere Road, Bondel Gate flyover and others. “The total project cost is Rs 1.33 crore and the lights will be installed in the next one and a half months. About 40%-50% of energy will be saved by using LED streetlights,” said KMC member mayor-in-council (lights) Sushil Sharma. Mayor Bikash Bhattacharyya said saving electricity was a big challenge. “I have been repeatedly trying to develop the practice of keeping lights and fans switched off as much as possible in the KMC building to save energy, but have not been able to succeed. I have also been urging my officials that something should be done to prevent misuse of energy,” he added. The mayor stressed that the city’s lighting arrangements needed to be revamped. “I have once had the experience of hearing a cuckoo sing as early at 3 am. This is because the cuckoos are being affected by the huge sodium vapour lights. It is also a major cause for concern that streetlights often continue to remain switched on after dawn. We are spending crores every month on electricity supply. By conserving some amount of energy, we can save about Rs 1 crore. This money could then be used for other civic welfare services,” the mayor said. With the launch of the LED project, Kolkata joins a select group of cities such as New York, London, Hong Kong, Toronto and Shanghai in the HSBC Climate Partnership-funded global programme. It is the first Indian city to be part of the league.