KOZHIKODE : The Kozhikode Corporation authorities are all set to follow the footsteps of the Vijayawada municipal corporation in Andra Pradesh which has successfully introduced solar streetlights in its limit. The civic body is planning to introduce solar streetlights at selected junctions here on an experimental basis.
The corporation, recently discussed about the feasibility of the scheme and decided to conduct site inspections to identify selected locations for the installation of the streetlights on an experiment basis. The project will be executed after a close examination of all the pros and cons of the project. It has earmarked a sum of Rs 25 lakh in its annual budget for 2013-2014 fiscal as initial investment for the scheme.
According to the corporation office, at present, it requires more than Rs 50 lakh per month to remit the electricity charges of streetlights situated in its thirteen electrical circles. The charge is remitted to the Kerala Electricity Board (KSEB) on the basis of the number of street lights in its limit and not on the basis of units of electricity being used.
Public works standing committee chairman M Mohanan said that the civic body had recently held talks with the officials of Keltrone, KSEB and corporation engineering wing to estimate the feasibility of the project. "We wish to reduce electricity charges and ensure proper lighting post sunset without disruptions. Solar streetlights will be installed at selected streets and junctions. Final decision on the locations will be made after we receive the report from engineering section,'' he said.
Meanwhile, K D AjayaGhosh, Corporation superintending engineer, said that though the solar streetlights will help bring down the electricity charge of the civic body, theft of batteries used to charge the lights cannot be ruled out. "Anyone can steal the battery at each streetlight pole being placed at various locations during night hours. We will be identifying locations where security or police is deployed to avoid the stealing of the placed batteries. We have to consider all the problems associated with it as the project needs huge investment. The site inspections will begin soon,'' he said.
According to corporation office, at present, it spends over 50 lakh every month to remit electricity charges of streetlights situated in its thirteen electrical circles
The corporation, recently discussed about the feasibility of the scheme and decided to conduct site inspections to identify selected locations for the installation of the streetlights on an experiment basis. The project will be executed after a close examination of all the pros and cons of the project. It has earmarked a sum of Rs 25 lakh in its annual budget for 2013-2014 fiscal as initial investment for the scheme.
According to the corporation office, at present, it requires more than Rs 50 lakh per month to remit the electricity charges of streetlights situated in its thirteen electrical circles. The charge is remitted to the Kerala Electricity Board (KSEB) on the basis of the number of street lights in its limit and not on the basis of units of electricity being used.
Public works standing committee chairman M Mohanan said that the civic body had recently held talks with the officials of Keltrone, KSEB and corporation engineering wing to estimate the feasibility of the project. "We wish to reduce electricity charges and ensure proper lighting post sunset without disruptions. Solar streetlights will be installed at selected streets and junctions. Final decision on the locations will be made after we receive the report from engineering section,'' he said.
Meanwhile, K D AjayaGhosh, Corporation superintending engineer, said that though the solar streetlights will help bring down the electricity charge of the civic body, theft of batteries used to charge the lights cannot be ruled out. "Anyone can steal the battery at each streetlight pole being placed at various locations during night hours. We will be identifying locations where security or police is deployed to avoid the stealing of the placed batteries. We have to consider all the problems associated with it as the project needs huge investment. The site inspections will begin soon,'' he said.
According to corporation office, at present, it spends over 50 lakh every month to remit electricity charges of streetlights situated in its thirteen electrical circles
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