The Hindu : New Delhi News : Survey says streetlights in good condition

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jun 10, 2004

New Delhi

New Delhi

Survey says streetlights in good condition

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, JUNE 9. A joint survey carried out by the privately managed discoms and the civic bodies has revealed that as many as 90 per cent of the streetlights in the Capital were in good condition and were fully functional even as the Municipal Councillors from both the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party complain that a significantly large number of streetlights were non-functional.

The results of the joint survey which was presented to the Delhi Finance Minister, A.K. Walia, at a review meeting on streetlights today have been disputed by senior officials of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi. The officials were quick to point out that the report was based on a sample survey and not on a comprehensive pole-to-pole study. However, senior discom officials claimed that the survey reflected a marked improvement in the functioning of the streetlights.

"Despite the fact that the maintenance and upkeep of streetlights is not our primary responsibility, we have been devoting considerable time and energy to it," said a senior BSES official. In their annual revenue requirement submitted to the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission, the discoms have specifically submitted that they were not interested in its maintenance and upkeep and that it should be handed over to the MCD.

"If the survey is any yardstick to go by, then certainly there is significant improvement in the functioning of streetlights. Last November a Delhi Police survey revealed that less than 50 per cent of these were illuminated at night and in some areas it was even less than one third," the MCD official said.

At the meeting Dr. Walia also reviewed the progress made by the officials with regard to handing over streetlights to the three discoms on 99 years lease, which was decided at a meeting on May 20. The meeting attended by senior officials of the Delhi Government, streetlight-owning agencies and discoms discussed draft of the proposed memorandum of understanding to be signed between the two. The streetlight owning agencies have been asked to submit their responses within a week, official said.

Of the 3.5 lakh odd streetlights in the Capital, 2.85 lakhs are owned by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi. The Public Works Department (7,000), the Delhi Cantonment Board (7,000) and Delhi Development Authority (10,000) are among the other streetlight owning agencies. The New Delhi Municipal Council would continue to maintain its streetlights.

Officials said, the entire exercise and frequent review meetings were being carried out at the direction of the Delhi Chief Minister, Sheila Dikshit, who wants streetlighting in Delhi to be upgraded to international standards. As per the consensus arrived at between the Delhi Government, the streetlight owning agencies and discoms, the Institutions of Illumination Engineers has been asked to develop a standard for streetlights and the Central Road Research Institute to do a study on the capital expenditure required.

While the Delhi Government would be making payments to the discoms for the capital expenditure, the annual maintenance and upkeep charge would be paid by the respective civic agencies, the rates of which would be determined on the Mumbai model, officials said.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

New Delhi